1. Violence Impact Project (VIP): A Multi-Governmental Strategy Against Violence Connie Kostelac Phoenix Police Department Crime Analysis and Research Unit (CARU) September 24, 2005 International Association of Crime Analysts 2005 Annual Conference

2. 6 th (soon to be 5 th ??) largest city 1.5 million population, 515 square miles 3032 sworn, 973 civilians (authorized) 2+ million calls for service and 200,000 reported crimes annually Violence Impact Project (VIP) Phoenix Police Department (All values listed are approximate as of Sept 2005)

3. Project was initiated in fall 2003 In response to the high number of homicides in the City of Phoenix Record number with 247 total or 16.8 per 100,000 persons in 2003 Goal was to reduce violence and enhance community safety Violence Impact Project (VIP) Background

4. Focus soon expanded to include all types of violent crime Combination of: –Focused enforcement –Partnership with other criminal justice agencies and the community –Use of analysis to direct enforcement activities Not new concepts, but a new focus Violence Impact Project (VIP) Background cont.

5. VIP mission statement: Violence Impact Project (VIP)

6. Steering committee provides overall direction 3 focus issues, to address violent crime –Offender –Area –Conspiracy Violence Impact Project (VIP) VIP Project Structure

7. Offender Impact –Identify violent offenders and seek apprehension and enhanced prosecution Conspiracy Impact –Investigate and dismantle the criminal organizations that engage in unlawful activities Area Impact –Focus on areas or environments that facilitate criminal activity through aggressive enforcement of Federal, State, and local laws, in collaboration with the affected community Violence Impact Project (VIP) Impact Areas

8. Violence Impact Project (VIP) Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Coordinated effort to impact gun violence in communities Focus on enhanced, directed resources and more effective prosecution 5 elements AccountabilityPartnerships TrainingStrategic Planning Outreach AccountabilityPartnerships TrainingStrategic Planning Outreach

9. Initial area was selected based on a high concentration of violent incidents –Same area was selected independently by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) for gun crimes –Overlap with VIP and PSN initiatives –Area was selected independently by both projects –Helped to support the multi-agency partnership in the area “Central City VIP” –Located in the center of the City of Phoenix, near the downtown corridor –Boundaries are Washington St to McDowell Rd, 7 th Street to 32 nd Street Violence Impact Project (VIP) Initial area selection

10. Violence Impact Project (VIP)

11. Inner city area of Phoenix Divided into quadrants by freeways Primarily comprised of single family homes, small apartment complexes, sole-proprietor business, chain stores, fast food restaurants, and shopping markets Densely populated area Violence Impact Project (VIP) Description of Central City VIP

12. 15.7% unemployment vs. 5.6% citywide $21,126 median household income vs.$41,207 citywide 62.9% of residents with less than a high school degree vs. 26% citywide 78.5% Hispanic/Latino vs. 34.1% citywide 56.9% White vs. 71.1% citywide 36.8% under age 18 vs. 28.7% citywide Violence Impact Project (VIP) Demographics of Central City VIP Information is based on the 2000 Census comparing the general boundaries of the Central City VIP area to the overall City of Phoenix

13. Violence Impact Project (VIP) Violent Crime Rate per 100,000 Persons Information is based Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) definitions. Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.

14. Relatively high level of firearm use in violent crimes On average, between 1999 and 2003 in Central City VIP, firearms were used in –70% of murders –47% of robberies –40% of aggravated assaults Also high area for gun recoveries –Based on data from ATF Violence Impact Project (VIP) Violent Crime in Central City VIP

15. Prostitution and robbery reduction –Long-standing issue of high levels of prostitution –Relationship to street robberies Mexico license plates –Educate officers on the requirements for Mexico license plates Operation public education –Focus on educating recent immigrants to report victimization and how to prevent victimization Narcotics –Undercover operations in cooperation with DEA –Mid to high level illegal drug distribution suspects Violence Impact Project (VIP) Action Plans

16. Gang enforcement –Focus on violent gang members with multiple agencies –Arrest warrants, sweeps, and raids Cruising –Response to neighborhood complaints –Crimes related to cruising/nightclubs –Involved business owners and community –Holding businesses accountable Project silent night –Focus on loud music and noise disturbance calls from citizens –New policy to cite responsible parties for return calls Violence Impact Project (VIP) Action Plans cont.

17. Media campaign –“Kick-off” press conference for VIP/PSN –PSN website/tv blitz –PSN billboards/signs in and around the area –Follow-up press conferences and media releases Community involvement Violence Impact Project (VIP) Action Plans cont.

18. Results were measured in multiple ways to address both process and impact –VIP Implementation –ATF gun recoveries –Prosecution –Citizen focus group –Officer survey –Changes in crime Violence Impact Project (VIP) Results

19. General direction given from command staff Project priorities were clarified Initial action plans were developed Move to involve other agencies and departments Heightened level of analysis and understanding the dynamics of the area Increased information sharing between multiple work units, departments, and agencies Enhanced availability and utilization of resources Increased community involvement Violence Impact Project (VIP) VIP Implementation

20. City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Dept US Attorney’s Office Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Drug Enforcement Administration Adult and juvenile probation Maricopa County Attorney’s Office Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Multiple units within the Phoenix Police Department –Patrol- Repeat Offender Program –Investigations- Crime Analysis and Research Unit –Drug Enforcement- Public Affairs These are examples of the partnerships enhanced by this project Violence Impact Project (VIP) Partnerships

21. High rate of gun recoveries in Central City VIP Focused on areas that showed high concentrations of gun recoveries Partnership with ATF in part led to the newly established Gun Squad in Phoenix Violence Impact Project (VIP) Gun Recoveries

22. Increased focus on using federal statutes to prosecute gun crimes, particularly in the area Department reports were flagged to be sent to the US Attorney’s Office for action Led to higher bonds and better cooperation in case prosecution Violence Impact Project (VIP) Prosecution

23. Core group of community leaders regularly attended (and continue to attend) meetings 7 neighborhood groups and business associations were actively involved in Central City VIP Line was added to departmental reports to list community groups as victims on particular types of crimes –In the second VIP area, community members went to initial hearings of arrestees as part of a round-up Violence Impact Project (VIP) Citizen Involvement

24. Following the initial enforcement period a focus group was held with 8 active Central City community leaders General feedback indicated they perceived: –the neighborhood to be safer than it was a year prior –the project to have been one of the most concentrated they had seen in the area –a benefit of the project to be increased contact with officers –some crime and disorder problems to still be present, but that the focus was now on issues like speeding rather than on drugs and prostitution Most participants were familiar with the VIP efforts They were generally concerned about the sustainability of the change Violence Impact Project (VIP) Citizen Focus Group

25. Surveys were completed by key participants (primarily officers) working on Central City VIP A total of 126 surveys were completed Overall: –Over 75% of respondents viewed the VIP project as a success –The majority (74%) believed crime had been reduced in the area because of the VIP project –Respondents felt that the project was a good use of resources (68%), should be replicated (83%) and saw a need for maintenance in the area (86%) Violence Impact Project (VIP) Officer Survey

26. Respondents were split on whether the problem solving (SARA) model helped their action plan development (48% agreed, 23% disagreed) 43% of respondents felt there were clearly defined roles and responsibilities in the project, but 36% were not sure 49% felt they had input into the action plans that affected them, but 30% did not Violence Impact Project (VIP) Officer Survey cont.

27. More than one-half of respondents saw other agencies working together and believed there was more interagency cooperation than prior projects 53% of respondents were aware that crime analysis helped to guide activities in the area, but 30% were unsure Violence Impact Project (VIP) Officer Survey cont.

28. Violence Impact Project (VIP) Overall Change in Violent Crime Incidents During Central City VIP Implementation October 2003 – June 2004 vs. October 2002 – June 2003 Information is based Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) definitions. Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.

29. Violence Impact Project (VIP) Overall Change in Violent Crime Incidents During Central City VIP Implementation October 2003 – June 2004 vs. October 2002 – June 2003 Information is based Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) definitions. Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.

30. Violence Impact Project (VIP) Central City VIP

31. Violence Impact Project (VIP) Central City VIP

32. Violence Impact Project (VIP) Violent Crime Time Period Comparison To Central City VIP Implementation Violent Crime in the Target Area Information is based Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) definitions. Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. VIP Implementation

33. Violence Impact Project (VIP) Precinct Comparison During Central City VIP Implementation Information is based Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) definitions. Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.

34. After the initial 9 month implementation, Central City VIP entered a maintenance phase Action plans, monthly meetings with the community, and maintenance efforts continue in the area Some slight increases in violent crime have been seen in recent months –Change parallels citywide increases –Has not increased to levels prior to the project –The area will be monitored for long-term changes Violence Impact Project (VIP) Maintenance

35. Based on the outcome of the first area, changes were made in the focus of the project Conspiracy group became the Tactical Crime Analysis focus Increased understanding of the role and benefit of analysis Violence Impact Project (VIP) Enhanced role of crime analysis

36. The second focus area for VIP was selected based on similar criteria for a high concentration of violent crime incidents –Based almost entirely on crime analysis –Has helped to deal with various “pressures” “Black Canyon VIP” –Located in the northwest center of the City of Phoenix, along a major interstate (I-17) –Comprised of primarily high-density residential (apartments), single family homes, hotel/motels, and some commercial businesses Violence Impact Project (VIP) Second area selection

37. The area is dramatically different than Central City VIP Has similar long-standing issues, but different background Issues of funding and on-going participation Requires cooperation between two separate precincts Lower level of community participation and involvement Violence Impact Project (VIP) Challenges of Black Canyon VIP

38. Larger-scale community survey Some “lessons learned” from Central City Database to capture “recap” information not normally collected in an RMS –Still has limitations and challenges New partnerships Stronger utilization of and focus on analysis –Analysis selects the area, tracks the results, but also provides more information to help with problem identification….Still need a richer understanding of what is available and how it can be used Violence Impact Project (VIP) Improvements with Black Canyon VIP

39. Black Canyon VIP was initiated in July 2004 Historically, from 1999 to 2003, this area averaged 614 violent crimes and 4,062 property crimes per year The project has been running a longer time period than Central City (over 1 year), but with less promising results The initial months were strong, but the past 4 have demonstrated significant increases in violent crime Violence Impact Project (VIP) Initial Crime Trend Results

40. 19 th Avenue 35 th Avenue Glendale Avenue Indian School Road Black Canyon Violence Impact Project July 2003 - July 2004 July 2004 - July 2005 Comparison

41. Violence Impact Project (VIP)

42. Black Canyon Violence Impact Project UCR part 1 violent crimes include murder, robbery, aggravated assault and rape.

43. Black Canyon Violence Impact Project UCR part 1 violent crimes include homicide, robbery, aggravated assault and rape. Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Part 1 Violent Crimes Jul 03 – Jul 05 12 Month Overall % Change 1.2 July-June 2003/04 vs. 2004/05 July 2005 Only % Change 54.3

44. Black Canyon Violence Impact Project UCR part 1 property crimes include burglary, theft/larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson

45. Homicides surrounding the area Approximately 20-25% of the violent incidents are domestic related Lower use of firearm than citywide The freeway and surrounding locations are a primary issue The lack of guardianship at hotels/motels and apartment complexes Repeat offenders Repeat locations Violence Impact Project (VIP) Trends in Black Canyon VIP

46. Different demographic for victims and suspects than is typical citywide Connection between the violent incidents and other criminal behavior The non-domestic violence incidents tend occur outside, in parking lots, in the street While violent crime has been increasing, property has been decreasing Violence Impact Project (VIP) Trends in Black Canyon VIP cont.

47. Current focus is on: –Problem locations Some locations with 300+ calls in a 12 month period!! Hotels/motels and apartment complexes –Repeat offenders –Offenders/victims living in or out of the area –Domestic violence focus –Emphasis on gun crimes –Increase in prostitution –Re-energizing the project –Bringing partners “back to the table” Violence Impact Project (VIP) Analysis and Investigative Focus

48. Process mapping VIP –What works, what doesn’t, where are the “opportunities?” Offender interviews are being conducted at the jail with a focus on both VIP areas Community outreach Refine analysis and training on use of analysis Violence Impact Project (VIP) Current and Future Direction

49. Further engage the community More involvement and buy-in from officers Enhance participation of outside agencies –Reach out to old and new partners Learn from prior projects and action plans Information sharing is vital Violence Impact Project (VIP) Recommendations – What works??

50. Resources must be committed at various levels Refine analysis AND response –Problem identification –Designing an appropriate response –Accurately measure results Track both process and impact results Track a variety of data that is relevant to the project Violence Impact Project (VIP) Recommendations cont.

51. Violence Impact Project (VIP)

52. Evaluation conducted as a cooperative effort between: –Phoenix Police Department, Crime Analysis and Research Unit (CARU) –Arizona State University – West Campus –Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) Report is available on-line from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, under Statistical Analysis Center publications at www.acjc.state.az.us www.acjc.state.az.us Violence Impact Project (VIP) Additional Information

53. Connie Kostelac Police Research Supervisor Phoenix Police Department Crime Analysis and Research Unit (CARU) 602-262-7163 connie.kostelac@phoenix.gov Violence Impact Project (VIP) Questions/Comments???