nj gang related homicides
DESCRIPTION
2006 NJ Gang Summit presentation given by Katherine Hempstead, Director of the Office of Injury Surveillance and Prevention at the Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior ServicesTRANSCRIPT
Center for Health Statistics
Violence in New Jersey: The Impact of Gangs
Katherine Hempstead, DirectorOffice of Injury Surveillance and Prevention
Center for Health StatisticsNovember 3, 2006
Center for Health Statistics
Office of Injury Surveillance and Prevention
Analyzes and disseminates information on all types of injuries Assists those engaged in injury prevention activities throughout the statehttp://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/oisp/index.shtml
Center for Health Statistics
New Jersey Violent Death Reporting System
Surveillance project designed to provide detailed information on homicides and suicidesInformation disseminated to assist in violence prevention efforts statewide
Center for Health Statistics
…in our country, the greatest threat to the lives of children and adolescents is not disease or starvation, but the terrible reality of violence.”
Surgeon General David Satcher, 2002 Report on Youth Violence
Center for Health Statistics
Violence is a public health issue
Interpersonal violence is a major cause of injury and death to adolescents and young adults
Homicide is the second leading cause of death for those aged 15-24 years
In 2004, 120 homicides in this group, as compared with @160 motor vehicle deaths
Center for Health Statistics
Age distribution of homicide victims: 2004 deaths
0
20
40
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80
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120
< 15 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-64 65+
Center for Health Statistics
Racial and ethnic distribution of homicide victims: 2004 deaths
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50
100
150
200
250
Black Hispanic White Asian
Center for Health Statistics
Long-term trends in homicide
Between mid-1960s and 1980, homicide rates rose sharplyRates declined during mid-1980sBegan rising again, peaking in early 1990sHomicide declined sharply since early-1990sSince 2000, the number of homicides in New Jersey has been increasing – trend is less pronounced nationally
Center for Health Statistics
Homicides in New Jersey, 1992-2005
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50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Center for Health Statistics
Homicide Rate per 100000, New Jersey, 1992-2005
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Center for Health Statistics
Homicide trends
After a period of declining homicides, we have returned to the levels of the early 1990sThe number of homicides has increased by over 30 percent since 2000The homicide rate has increased over 25 percent since 2000Homicides are at their highest level since 1993
Center for Health Statistics
Homicides in New Jersey by age of victim, 2000-2005
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20
40
60
80
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120
140
160
180
Under 10 10 - 19 20 - 29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+
2000
2001
2003
2005
Center for Health Statistics
Homicides have risen most among young adults
Percent increase in homicides, 2000-2005
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44
Center for Health Statistics
Are all kinds of homicides increasing?
Several major categories of homicideFamily –
Intimate PartnerChild Abuse
Committed during a felony -Other arguments/quarrel Drug-related/ gang-relatedcircumstances unknown
Center for Health Statistics
Trend in homicides by type
Family homicides have been declining steadily over past several decadesHomicides resulting from arguments, and committed during felonies, have declined as well - but stabilized since 2000Homicides with circumstances unknown, drug-related or gang-related have risen
Center for Health Statistics
How do we measure gang activity in New Jersey?
Database on gang membersSurvey data on gang presence in New Jersey municipalitiesSigns, symbols, grafitti and tattoos…
Center for Health Statistics
How do we measure impact of gangs on violence?
Difficult to measure Homicides can be classified according to whether or not “gang-related”“gang-related” – can be divided into:
“gang-motivated” versus “gang member”but often – no information is availableNon-fatal injuries – even less information
Center for Health Statistics
Current sources of information on homicide circumstances
Police reportsUCR/SHRMedical Examiner’s reportDeath certificateNewspaper articles
Center for Health Statistics
Using these sources – explicit mention of gang- or drug-relatedness
37
53 52
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2003 2004 2005
Center for Health Statistics
Clearly this is an understatement There are types of homicides we associate with gang activity:
Young male victimWeapon used – usually firearmAttack occurs in public placeMultiple victims and/or multiple suspectsNo other known cause
Center for Health Statistics
Broader definition: “gang*”
(Circumstance associated with gang violence i.e. gang-related, drug-related, bystander
And…No circumstance not consistent with gang)Or…No circumstances knownAnd for all: Suspect is not relative or intimate of victim
Center for Health Statistics
About 40% of homicides in 2003-2004 fit this definition
407
135
379
175
786
310
0100200300400500600700800
2003 2004 Total
TotalGang*
Center for Health Statistics
Over 70% of these homicides occurred in 8 cities
Newark 94Camden 48Irvington 19Paterson 14Trenton 13East Orange 13Elizabeth 11Jersey City 10Total 222
Center for Health Statistics
Racial and ethnic characteristics of gang* homicides, 2003-2004
01020304050607080
% Black %Hispanic
% White
8 Big citiesElsewhere
Center for Health Statistics
Weapons used in gang* homicides, 2003-2004
0102030405060708090
% Guns % Knives
8 Big citiesElsewhere
Center for Health Statistics
Prevention
We often hear about the “epidemic” of violence
We also often hear: “Violence is not a disease. It is a learned behavior. Therefore it is preventable.”
Center for Health Statistics
Types of prevention strategies- public health approach
Primary – general populationSecondary – at-risk groupsTertiary - those with the condition
To develop prevention strategies, need to think about causes of problem, identify groups to target
Center for Health Statistics
Why is gang activity increasing now? One theory:
1. Explosion in youth violence:• Youth violence/delinquency has been rising• steadily since 1980s – didn’t decline like other crime
indicators - continuation in trend
• Cohort theory of boom in youth violence –“super-predators” have arrived
Center for Health Statistics
National data suggests juvenile homicide offense rates have not increased since 2000
Center for Health Statistics
New Jersey, 2005 (UCR)
6 % of cleared homicides were juvenile offendersMost frequent offender and victim group:25-29 year old malesCurrent increase in violence is not exclusively a youth problemMajority of criminals and victims are adults
Center for Health Statistics
Implication for prevention:
Can’t target all efforts at youthMost people committing violent offenses are not adolescentsThey are not affected by programs in schools, parent education…..Fewer prevention options with adults
Center for Health Statistics
However, gang membership is growing…
Gang membership is a significant and positive determinant of violence
Even controlling for family and community characteristics, and delinquency of peersSeveral longitudinal studies have established this
So deterring gang membership is an important step in violence prevention
Center for Health Statistics
Why do youths join gangs?
CommunityFamilyIndividualIn particular:Attachment to delinquent peersLow attachment to family and school“Street socialization”
Center for Health Statistics
Gangs and delinquency
Delinquency precedes gang membershipBut usually increases after joining Gangs have an independent effect on criminal behaviorBut those who join gangs are not randomly selected
Center for Health Statistics
Primary preventionSchools are a major site,
G.R.E.A.T. (AZ), other examplesParent education Community programs
After-school programs, etc.
Evaluations of these kinds of programs show modest success….could have long term effects….difficult to measure
Center for Health Statistics
In New Jersey: Community Partnerships for Healthy Adolescents
Grants from Division of Family Health Services, NJDHSS
Gang awareness, bullying prevention, anger management, peer-to-peer conflict mediation
Bergen Family CenterSussex County Gang Awareness Task ForceMontclair School DistrictPerth Amboy
Many similar programs funded by DHS, DOE, etc…
Center for Health Statistics
Secondary preventionPrograms that target those identified as being at especially high riskEx: BGCA – provides case management, special training, increased alternative activitiesEx: Early intervention programs that identify disruptive boys in elementary schools, visiting nurses….Good results for some…but expensive!
Center for Health Statistics
Tertiary prevention
Targets those already involved in gangsLarger role played by law enforcementEarly example, “Operation Hammer” – L.A.More recent example, “Operation Ceasefire”Community involvement important to successful efforts D.O.C. program good example of tertiary prevention – targets gang leaders in custody
Center for Health Statistics
Prevention efforts must be system-wide
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary all importantMust target individuals but also macro-level factorsNo easy solutions
Center for Health Statistics
Reducing gun violence
Important role of firearms in recent increase in homicide has been shownMajor problem - illegal gunsReducing proliferation of illegal handguns is important component to reducing fatalities and serious injuriesReducing trafficking and/or getting guns off street
Center for Health Statistics
Reducing inflow of illegal gunsNew Jersey has relatively strict gun control lawsMost guns used in crimes in NJ come from out of state, where gun laws are looserJersey City – “One gun a month” purchase law JHU gun violence center - ideas for local and state law enforcement to use to combat gun trafficking:http://www.jhsph.edu/gunpolicy/How%20Cities%20Can%20Combat%20Illegal%20Guns.pdf
Center for Health Statistics
Getting illegal guns off the streets
Buy-back program – Jersey City, other jurisdictions – generally modest results
“Consent to search” – St. Louis – parent could consent to search home for guns owned by juveniles, no prosecution on gun charges.
Center for Health Statistics
Conclusion: Reducing gang violence
Problem is not limited to youthViolence emerges from complex community, family, and individual, factors – requires a multi-disciplinary approachSuccessful prevention starts early in lifePrimary prevention must be coupled with other typesReducing supply of illegal guns is important component of violence reduction effort