Prevention Can Stop Gang Violence!

Gangs plague American cities, costing taxpayers $100 Billion a year. The FFT (Functional Family Therapy) estimated 1,059,000 teen gang members, with 400,000 young people joining a gang every year. 

The total economic cost of violent deaths was $47.2 billion in lost productivity. (Source: NIH National Library of Medicine) 

Let’s discuss what needs to change and how to reduce gang violence. Based on my 40 years of experience as a crime and violence prevention specialist, here are my suggestions on how to prevent and stop gang violence. Teens join gangs for friends and community.

Cities need “Neighborhood Safety Experts.”

We have all heard about the epidemic of loneliness, which contributes to fear, social isolation, inner-city violence, and the proliferation of guns. Every individual and family needs community involvement for mental health and stability. We need to focus on the power of unity and empower adults to take control of neighborhood safety.

Cities should consider hiring and training “Neighborhood Safety Experts” (NSE) who look like and speak the community’s language to bring neighbors together to protect families, especially children. Cities need long-range goals that educate and help the community learn they have the power to keep their children safe and healthy.

BENEFITS and PURPOSE of training citizens as Neighborhood Safety Experts

•    NSE need to work with the police department but be independent from the police. 

•    NSE build trust between police and citizens, which can reduce fear and anger. 

• NSEs are low-cost and can strengthen families and provide neighborhood support.

HOW NSE CAN empower and benefit citizens.

•    Bring neighbors together to build trust, reduce fear, and advise them on how to make their neighborhood safe and healthy for everyone.

•    Bring neighbors together to build trust and help them work together to prevent crime.

•    Reduce fear and social isolation, contributing to the purchase of guns for self-protection.

•    Form neighborhood groups with an appointed leader to improve communication.

•    Identify potential neighborhood leaders to strengthen families and protect children.

•    Connected neighbors who can reduce fear and anxiety and prevent mental health issues.

•    Work with local police to identify and eliminate criminals from the neighborhood.

•    Help neighbors find support for their children and teens on the block.

•    Guide neighbors to clean up the neighborhood. plan get-togethers and activities for kids.

•    Report citizen abuses and/or an abusive police officer.  

•    Learn information that citizens would not share with the police.

•    Offer tips and discussions on how to raise emotionally strong children.

•    Bring in professionals to counsel people with stress and emotional problems.

•    Be aware that a sex-trafficked child, pimp, and drug dealer lives in a neighborhood. 

•    Teach residents that safer neighborhoods will increase home and business property values.

Why do residents fail to share information with police?

         –  Some police officers have abused their power in low-income areas. 

         –  Criminals may spread rumors about the police. Criminals live in the neighborhood, and police come and go with little time to build trust. 

         – It is common for drug dealers and other criminals to flourish because neighbors protect them. Neighbors may receive gifts, including paying a bill, giving out turkeys at Thanksgiving, and other gifts.

         – Neighbors will share information with the NSE if they take the time to socialize and get to know and trust each other. Everyone will benefit.

         – There is more fear and anger when residents don’t know each other and don’t share information. Gangs will lose their power to control neighbors when caring, trained NSEs build trust, reduce anger, and develop partnerships among residents.

Today, as a prevention consultant, I learned as a neighborhood, city, and county coordinator (Neighborhood Safety Expert) that we must bring police and citizens together. I have many success stories and know what NSEs need to empower and unite neighbors.  

For more information on training, contact Stephanie Mann