Community perspectives on gun violence and safety: The role of policing in Baltimore City

Individual Author(s) / Organizational Author
Crisafi, Cassandra
Williams, Rebecca
Booty, Marisa
Owens-Young, Jessica
Webster, Daniel
Buggs, Shani
Publisher
Elsevier
Date
December 2022
Publication
Journal of Criminal Justice
Abstract / Description

Introduction
Gun violence plagues many communities that simultaneous experience other threats to their health and safety. Policing strategies to address illegal gun carrying may exacerbate or even contribute to gun violence.

Methods
We conducted a mixed-methods study to understand community perspectives on gun violence, safety, and the Baltimore Police Department (BPD)’s approaches to gun violence reduction. Using an explanatory-exploratory approach – we conducted household surveys (n = 200) and then explored key survey findings with focus groups. Descriptive statistics were generated from the surveys and key themes were identified from the focus groups.

Results
One-quarter of survey respondents reported having been a victim of a gun crime, one-third reported not feeling safe in their neighborhood, and slightly less than one-half thought police would respond quickly if shots were fired. Many participants expressed distrust in police as a result of their strategies to reduce gun carrying and address violence. (author abstract)

Artifact Type
Reference Type
Geographic Focus
P4HE Authored
No