Don't Shoot, One Man, a Street Fellowship, and The End of Violence inInner City America
By David Kennedy
A recent book by David Kennedy titled Don't Shoot, One Man, a Street Fellowship, and The End of Violence in
Inner City America puts a new face on the fight against urban drug and gun
violence. In the book, Kennedy discusses his new approach for combating such
violence, which he notes has been implemented in cities such as Boston,
Cincinnati, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The approach to violent crime detailed in
this book involves identifying a small group of worst offenders, arresting the
worst of those, usually with Federal assistance, and then holding community
dialogue with the rest and informing them that if they do not stop their acts
of violence they will meet a similar fate.
Kennedy notes that when these methods, since given the name
“Ceasefire”, were enacted, the type of crime targeted dropped noticeably and
swiftly.
In addition, he notes that the presence of so much violent crime for so
long has severely damaged urban neighbourhoods, both economically and socially.
Kennedy points out that none of the economic, social, or racial problems
affecting these communities can be addressed until the crime that permeates
them is controlled in a lasting manner. However, he does not give any
indication of when a community might be ready to move on to those tasks.
The book points out that the structure of violent activity is the same from city to city, regardless of the size, number, or ethnic makeup of gangs. Kennedy details how the majority of violent activity can be directly traced to a small group of core gang members, the most violent of these members can be targeted with policing in cooperation with federal authorities, and the rest can then be targeted with community outreach. Kennedy describes how round-table meetings were held with local, state, and federal police, prosecutors, community activists, and gang members. In these meetings, authorities explained to the gang members the gravity of the charges that could be brought against them if their actions continued, which, he noted, many offenders were unaware of. Community organisers explained the damage that years of criminal activity and accidental killings of children have wrought on communities, and the fear it brings to parents. These meetings also offer support services, such as housing and job opportunities, to replace income from selling drugs or other criminal activities.
The book points out that the structure of violent activity is the same from city to city, regardless of the size, number, or ethnic makeup of gangs. Kennedy details how the majority of violent activity can be directly traced to a small group of core gang members, the most violent of these members can be targeted with policing in cooperation with federal authorities, and the rest can then be targeted with community outreach. Kennedy describes how round-table meetings were held with local, state, and federal police, prosecutors, community activists, and gang members. In these meetings, authorities explained to the gang members the gravity of the charges that could be brought against them if their actions continued, which, he noted, many offenders were unaware of. Community organisers explained the damage that years of criminal activity and accidental killings of children have wrought on communities, and the fear it brings to parents. These meetings also offer support services, such as housing and job opportunities, to replace income from selling drugs or other criminal activities.
Kennedy notes that this approach has been implemented to target various
crimes, from shootings to drug markets to domestic violence, in a large number
of cities and has been extremely successful. Kennedy's book presents an
original perspective on the issue of urban crime, and one which has immediate
and significant impact. His book should prove to be pivotal in the fight
against crime, and a starting point in rebuilding communities and making urban
areas more attractive places to live.
Buy this book on Amazon
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