FACE Community Research paper - Gun Violence

U r g e n t , I n c .

1 0 0 0 N W 1 s t A v e # 1 0 0

S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

Evaluative Report Marqia Black

Raenikqua James

Terri Moise

Roselaine Catilus

Brittany Jean

Terranisha Albert

GUN VIOLENCE IN

MIAMI: YOUTH

PERSPECTIVE

What is F.A.CE.?

Film, Arts, Coding, Community Research,

and Entrepreneurship are the five institutes

that make up the FACE Program. The FACE

Program aims to empower and inspire youth

by providing them professional development

skills. The implementation model is based on

project-based learning, led by industry

professionals. The FACE Program is a six

week program, hosted by Urgent, Inc., and

City of Miami Community Redevelopment

Agency.

More than 100 applicants applied and were

interviewed by Terrance Cribbs-Lorrant,

Program Manager. The criteria for the

applicants included (1) age range of 16 and

24 years old, (2) claim residency in District 5

of Miami; neighborhoods include: Little

Haiti, Upper East Side, Liberty City, and

Overtown. Only 60 students were accepted

into the program. Each student was evaluated

and placed in the five institutes. Each FACE

institute is responsible for designing,

implementing and presenting a project

deliverable, as well as performing

community service projects and hours.

The Research Institute focused exploring the

issue of gun violence in their neighborhood

1 Spano, Richard,, and John Bolland. “Disentangling

the effects of violent victimization, violent behavior,

and gun carrying for minority inner-city youth living

of Overtown. This research paper is a

reflection of their self-motivation to design,

implement and conduct surface surveys,

business questionnaires, and youth

interviews to provide a comprehensive

overview of the factors that may influence

gun violence in Overtown, and the youths’

perspectives of gun violence.

Why Gun Violence?

The Research Institute chose this topic

because of its relevance to them, and their

community of Overtown.

Studies reaffirm that gun violence in urban

cities affect negatively youths, in particular

African American and Hispanic minors.1

Primary Research Questions

The Research Team decided that this project

would be more of an evaluative report,

analyzing youths’ opinions, and their

environments. These are the following

questions:

1. Does gun violence affect the youth in

the community of Overtown? How

so?

2. What impact does gun violence have

on the businesses and summer

programs?

3. What factors influence and/or

increase the rate of gun violence in

Overtown?

in extreme poverty.” Crime & Delinquency 59.2

(2013): 191-213.

The Research Team

Marqia Black

Marqia Black is a 25-year-old, born and

raised in her home community of Overtown.

She is currently in her junior year at Barry

University, studying Nursing. She aspires to

be a pediatric nurse at a hospital.

Raenikqua James

Raenikqua James is a 19-year-old resident of

Overtown. She is currently a junior at Florida

A&M University, pursuing her degree in

psychology. Raenikqua aspires to be a child

psychologist.

Brittany Jean

Brittany Jean is a junior at Florida A&M

University, currently majoring in Broadcast

Journalism. Brittany is a long time resident of

the Overtown, Miami area and a Booker T.

Washington Senior High Alumna. She is an

active participant at the Overtown Youth

Center and believes in being a positive

member of her community. She plans to

pursue a career as a broadcast journalist with

the goal of continuing to give back to

Overtown.

Roselaine Catilus

Roselaine Catilus is a 19-year-old college

student who is originally from Overtown.

Currently, Roselaine resides in Liberty City

and attends Miami-Dade College. She is

pursuing her Bachelor’s degree and majoring

in Nursing.

Terri Moise

Terri Moise is an Entrepreneurship and

Research intern for Urgent, Inc.’s F.A.C.E

Summer Institute, working on the

development of business plans and assisting

with the completion of an in-depth research

report detailing the impact of gun violence in

the Overtown community. Terri is also a

recipient of the Posse Foundation

Scholarship, in which he participates in an

intensive leadership training program that

focused on strategies for promoting dialogue

across diverse groups, project planning,

organization, and team building. He is a

rising sophomore at Hamilton College,

located in Clinton, New York. He is planning

on pursuing a degree in the field of Africana

Studies, with a double minor in the fields of

Jurisprudence, Justice & Law Studies and

World Politics.

Terranisha Albert

Terranisha is a 19-year-old college student

from the community of Overtown. She is

currently attending Bethune-Cookman

University and pursuing a career in the

medical field.

Abstract

This research project involves determining whether gun violence has a significant impact on the youth in

the community of Overtown. This research focuses on the impact of gun violence in Overtown on a micro-level.

Prior research details the disparities in how gun violence affects communities of color in comparison to its effects

on primarily white communities. The initial phase of this project included various interns conducting surface, and

business surveys in order to collect data about the structural and economic impact on Overtown. The secondary

phase of the project focused on student interviews, which were conducted among youths ranging from the ages

of 16 to 24. This was done to gather in-depth information and personal experiences from the youths. This mix of

qualitative and quantitative methods allowed researchers to gather unique perspectives, and support our

hypothesis that gun violence does negatively impact the youth in Overtown.

Summary Findings

After conducting several surface surveys and multiple individual interviews, the data was compiled and

analyzed to determine whether or not gun violence had a significant impact on the community of Overtown. When

the Research Team interviewed youths (sample size of 40 FACE Interns) on their beliefs of the causes of gun

violence, a majority of the youths stated that gang related issues, peer pressure, retaliation, and drugs as the key

factors.

According to data analysis, the youth also concluded that summer activities such as the F.A.C.E Summer

Institute, and summer camps have a major impact with the reduction of violence in the community. Many students

believe that youths are able to engage with numerous activites, distracting them from boredom and influencing

them from violent gangs. Summary findings also show that youth participants didn’t feel that police visibility

aided in the reduction of crime nor gun violence in the community, and that gun buybacks have no lasting impact

of reducing gun violence. Many of the students explained that police and police related programs do not

permanently solve the core issues. Many students feel disconnected with the police, and did not view the police

with much trust.

From data findings, many still feel relatively safe around the community. On a scale of 1-10, a majority

of the youths rated the safety of Overtown as a 5. When the resident youths have had someone close to them

affected by gun violence, more than 80% of the youth residents or someone close to them were affected.

In conclusion, gun violence significantly impacts the lives of youths in Overtown. After conducting

several surface surveys and multiple individual interviews, the data was compiled and analyzed to determine

whether or not gun violence had a significant impact on the community of Overtown. We were able to gather data

that was in line with our hypotheses and which provided significant results to answer our research questions.

Impact of Gun Violence on Youth Programs

The research team managed to survey a sum of 4 youth programs within the Overtown community. In total, 8

survey questions were posed to the program directors, with many similarities in answers, with a few notable

exceptions.

Programs and Program Directors

1. Touching Miami with Love (TML)

a. Directed by Michael Miller

2. Gibson Park

a. Directed by Tiemale Gilagou

3. Williams Park

a. Directed by Robert Lockett

4. Overtown Youth Center (OYC)

a. Directed by Tina Brown

Program Survey Questions and Responses:

1. Using a scale from 1 to 5, how would you rate the safety in/outside of your organization?

● TML: 5

● Gibson: 5

● Williams: 5

● OYC: 5

2. How often do you see violence? How many instances are gun-related?

● TML: 1-3 times a week/None gun-related

● Gibson: 1-3 times a week/None gun-related

● Williams: No violence experienced/None gun-related

● OYC: 2-5 times every 3 months/None gun-related

3. Do you have safety methods in place for yourself, employees, and/or children on the chance that gun violence

does occur?

● TML: Initiating lockdown procedures

● Gibson: Making sure everyone is accounted for

● Williams: Initiating lockdown procedures

● OYC: No methods in place

4. How do you prevent gun violence?

● TML: Guns not allowed in facility and promoting the awareness of gun violence

● Gibson: Guns not allowed in the vicinity of the facility, and call law enforcement

● Williams: Keep childrens motivated by having them involved in positive activities

● OYC: Character education

5. How often do kids return to your program after gun violence occurs? For those that return, is there a significant

change in behavior?

● TML: Always

○ Children are more reserved, and don’t talk about what occurred. It has become a norm for the

members of the Overtown community

● Gibson: Always

○ No change, as it is a norm

● Williams: Rarely

○ No change

● OYC: Sometimes

○ Children are more humble

6. Do you believe gun violence affects the future of your organization?

● TML: Yes

● Gibson: No

● Williams: No

● OYC: Yes

7. In your opinion, what is the leading cause of gun violence?

● TML: Lack of opportunities and poverty

● Gibson: Poverty, lack of jobs, low income

● Williams: Breakdown of family structure, lack of opportunities

● OYC: Poverty

8. Do you believe kids are affected by gun violence?

● TML: Yes

● Gibson: Yes

● Williams: Yes

● OYC: Yes

Program Survey Findings:

● 4 programs surveyed

● All programs rated the safety within and outside of their organizations

○ Average safety rating: 5

● 50% of programs experience violence 1-3 times a week

○ OYC:

■ Experiences violence 2-5 times every 3 months

○ Williams Park

■ Said that their organizations don’t experience violence

○ No violence gun-related in other programs

● 75% of organizations have safety methods in place to protect employees and students

○ Includes:

■ Lockdown of entire buildings

■ Placing children in a more secure room

■ Making sure that all people are accounted for and uninjured

● All programs have developed various ways to prevent gun violence

● 50% of programs have kids that choose to return after experiencing situations related to gun violence.

○ Williams Park:

■ Rarely has kids that choose to return after situations involving gun violence

○ OYC

■ Sometimes has students that return after experiences with gun violence

● 50% of organizations state that there is a noticeable change in behavior due to gun violence.

○ OYC:

■ States that gun violence humbles their students

○ TML:

■ States that the kids become more reserved

○ Gibson:

■ States that there is no change as the gun violence in the community has become normalized

and seemingly a daily/weekly part of their lives

● 50% of programs believe that gun violence has the capability to affect the future of their organizations

○ 2 of the organizations do not believe it will as it is a normal occurrence

● All organizations agree that poverty and lack of opportunities are some of the leading causes of gun

violence in the Overtown community

● All programs agree that gun violence affects students/children in various ways

Program Analysis and Research Connections

There are many things of note to be taken and discussed from the findings of the program surveys. The programs

were often in consensus about the techniques utilized to increase the safety of their organizations, as well as the

impact that gun violence had on the children. It is important to note that exposure to gun violence can highly

traumatize youth physically, mentally, and emotionally. Various studies have shown that said exposure can lead

to lasting emotional scars, and in some cases youth may develop posttraumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, this

exposure to gun violence can possibly lead to an increase of the likelihood of youth using violence as their primary

means of resolving problems and expressing negative emotions, anger chief among them.

Additionally, all programs that were surveyed rated the safety of their organizations at 5, with 5 representing the

safest location and conditions possible. The programs surveyed also developed various means to combat gun

violence, should such a hazardous situation occur. These ranged from initiating lockdown procedures to making

sure everyone is accounted for and relatively uninjured. On a larger scale, there are other means that could

possibly be used to prevent gun violence. These include the standardization of anti-weapon policies and

procedures, implementation of gun violence curriculums, and the establishment of student groups against gun

violence.

However, there were instances in which the program directors offered differing opinions and information about

their organizations. While Touching Miami with Love, or TML, and Gibson Park both experienced violence

around 1 to 3 times during the week, the Overtown Youth Center, or OYC, experiences violence around 2 to 5

times every 3 months, while Williams Park states that he does not experience violence at all. The Overtown

community experiences a high rate of gun-related incidents, with over 40 students being shot within ten blocks

of Booker T. Washington High School in the year of 2013. The program directors also disagreed on the capability

of gun violence impacting the future of their organization. Two of the directors agreed that gun violence could

have a detrimental effect on their current programs and the rate of student return, while two directors disagreed

due to the normalization of gun violence within the Overtown community.

Student Interviews

The research team interviewed 25 youths that either work or reside within the community of Overtown. All of

the youths interviewed currently participate in the Film, Arts and Culture, Coding, and Entrepreneurship Summer

Institute, better known to the community as the F.A.C.E. Summer Institute. Interviewees ranged from the ages of

16-24, with a majority enrolled in either a secondary institution or currently pursuing a degree in higher education.

The youths were asked a series of questions, so as to aid the research team in understanding the effect that gun

violence has on youths on a personal level.

Student Interview Questions, Findings, and Sample Responses:

1. Do you believe summer activities for youth aid in reducing violence in the community? If so, why?

● 21 out of 25 students said yes

○ Popular Reasons:

■ Keep kids out of the streets and out of trouble (9 out of 25)

■ Keeps kids busy and productive (8 out of 25)

● 3 out of 25 said no

○ Stated that violence began at home

● 1 out of 25 said it varies

○ Varies due to programs during the daytime, yet none at nighttime

○ Most of it depends on parenting

○ Cited the mass shootings in Liberty City as an example

● Sample Responses:

○ “Yes, because a lot of young people are involved in gun violence, and they shouldn’t be.”

○ “No, because no matter how many summer activities there are, it’s still going to be violence going

on in the community.”

○ “Yes, because kids are active, and not getting in trouble.”

○ “It varies, because in the daytime they’re doing something, but at night there’s no program. Most

of it depends on the parents and if they have a parent who doesn’t care most likely they will get

shot.”

2. Has anyone close to you ever been involved in gun violence?

● 21 out of 25 said yes

○ Personal example of brother dying provided



○ “Yes, uncle got shot over dice game. It hurt my family and I, made me want to get a gun myself.”

○ “Yes, dad. Drive by wasn’t meant for him. Didn’t die we were sad and worried.”

○ “Yes. My close guy friend got killed over gang violence and it affected my family, and his family

because he wasn’t the type of person to get caught up in gang violence.”

○ “Yes, my brother was killed by a gun.”

3. Do you feel safe walking around Overtown?

● 10 out of 25 answered yes


● 6 out of 25 answers were based on circumstance/time of day/location


○ “Yes, I’m used to the environment.”

○ “Yes, sometimes I feel unsafe walking around at night because of gun violence.”

○ “Yes, sometimes. I feel unsafe walking around at night because of gun violence.”

○ “No, because I think the atmosphere changed.”

4. What do you believe is the key cause of gun violence?

● Various causes listed:

○ Drugs (5 out of 25)

○ Gang-related issues (10 out of 25)

○ Peer Pressure (6 out of 25)

○ Poverty (1 out of 25)

○ Lack of guidance (4 out of 25)

○ Retaliation (6 out of 25)

○ Lack of activities (2 out of 25)

○ Easy access to guns (2 out of 25)

○ Youth (2 out of 25)

○ Musical influence (1 out of 25)

○ Ignorance (1 out of 25)


○ “The lack of care and guidance.”

○ “The cause of gun violence are the gangs.”

○ “Our youth and the songs they listen to; the influence they get from the community.”

○ “Drugs, retaliation, people who want to impress others.”

5. How would you rate the safety of your community on a scale of 1-10? Does gun violence have a role in your

rating?

● Average safety rating of 6.12

● Majority ranked safety at 5 (8 out of 25)

● Gun violence play a role in a majority of ratings (17 out of 25)


○ “Five. Yes, because there is a lot of shootings that take place in Overtown.”

○ “One. Yes, because I just lost a big brother to gun violence.”

○ “Six. Yes, because just the other day they were shooting next to my house.”

6. Do you believe police visibility reduces crime?


● 15 out of 25 answered no

○ Believe that there is a general sense of apathy from the police force

● 3 out of 25 answered somewhat/unsure


○ “Yes, because when the police come around things cool down.”

○ “No, because people don’t have respect for authority how they used to.”

○ “Yes, because people aren’t that crazy when police are visible.”

7. Do you believe gun buybacks help in the reduction of gun violence?


○ One person surveyed feels that there needs to be more advertisement of the buybacks

● 12 out of 25 answered no

○ Believe that there is no real resolution reached

● 2 out of 25 answered somewhat/unsure


○ “Yes, it helps people give back the guns and stop the violence.”

○ “Yes, but nobody knows about the program, so they need to advertise the program.”

○ “Nope, because everybody don’t turn in their guns.”

Interview Analysis and Research Connections

The student interviews allowed the research team to gather a unique insight that differed from those of the program

directors. This was primarily due to personal connection to those who have been affected by gun violence, as well

as a significant difference in the age groups. While the program directors were surveyed about their organizations,

allowing them to distance themselves from the topic at hand, the youth were asked questions that were specifically

catered to aid the research team in gathering personal experiences and in-depth perspectives about the effects of

gun violence on the community of Overtown and who gun violence mostly affects: the youth themselves.

When surveyed about the effectiveness about summer programs aiding in reducing violence in the community,

21 of the 25 youths surveyed agreed that summer programs make a significant difference in the levels of violence

in the community. It is important to note that violence within the community of Overtown is preventable, and

should not be considered inevitable. However, due to the normalization of gun violence, the perception and belief

that Overtown is a dangerous neighborhood prone to violence will remain. However, another issue that remains

is the overall and continuing effect of these programs. It is difficult for many programs to have a lasting impact

on the community when the primary focus of the programs is completing requirements or distracting youth, rather

than actual growth.

With the focus on personal experiences, it came as no surprise to the research team that over 80% of those survived

have close family and friends that have been involved with and suffered due to gun violence. There were numerous

personal experiences discussed:

● One youth surveyed brought up their uncle being shot over money during gambling. Their anger and pain

was great enough that it made the youth want to purchase their own firearm.

● Another youth was terrified and worried when their father was a victim of a drive-by that was meant for

another individual.

● One youth recalled when a close family friend was killed due to gang violence. Both his and the victim’s

families were significantly impacted, as his friend was not one to normally interact with gang members.

● Recently, one of the youths interviewed had a brother that was recently shot and killed in the Overtown

area.

As such, a majority of the youth cited gun violence as the primary reason as to why they felt unsafe wandering

around the Overtown community.

It has been much debated what is the cause of gun violence. What makes the situation of gun violence unique in

the United States is that, currently, the United States is the online country that treats the ownership of guns as a

right, rather than a privilege. In various other countries, it must be proven that there is a distinct need for one to

bear a firearm. However, among the youth interviewed, a majority cited gang-related issues and substance abuse

as primary factors in gun violence in their community. Retaliation, lack of guidance, and peer pressure were also

causes that were mentioned. What does this imply about gun violence in the Overtown community?

Businesses and Gun Violence

The research team also made the effort to gather information on how gun violence impacted local businesses

within the community. Ranging from barbershops to corner stores, the research team spoke with managers and

employees to discuss how gun violence impacted their businesses and revenue.

Black Kutz

● Owner:

○ Corey

● Hours of Operation:

○ Monday through Saturday: 8 am by 9 pm, Available Sunday by appointment

● Close to schools/churches, apartments

○ Apartments do not have nice/safe exterior

■ Surveyors agree

● Average Safety rating:

○ 5

● Safety methods in place:

○ Call 911/the police

● See violence 1-3 times a week

○ 5-19% Gun-related violence

○ Never see customers after gun violence occurs

● Believes that gun violence affects the future of their business

● Believes leading cause of gun violence is rap music and poverty

● Believes kids are affected by gun violence

● No signs

● Prominent Products:

○ Haircuts

● Surveyors say that individuals only stay outside of business for around 1-2 minutes

Downtown Pawn

● Owner:

○ Fabian


○ Monday through Friday: 9:30 am - 5:45 am, Saturday: 9:30 am - 4:45 am, Sunday: Closed

● Not close to schools/churches,

● Close to apartments

○ Apartments do have nice/safe exterior

■ ___ of surveyors agree


○ 4

● No current safety methods in place

● No guns displayed inside

● Always check for I.D.

● No underage kids allowed inside

● See violence 2-5 times every 6 months

○ 0% Gun-related violence

○ Always see customers after gun violence occurs

● Believes leading cause of gun violence is the illegal purchasing of guns


● Believes future of business is affected by gun violence

● No Signs

● Surveyors say that individuals only stay outside of business for around 1-2 minutes

Harba Food Store


○ Open Sunday through Saturday, 24 hours a day



■ 60% of surveyors agree


○ 4

● No current safety methods in place



○ Rarely see customers after gun violence occurs

● Believes leading cause of gun violence is domestic violence

● Does not believe kids are affected by gun violence

● Signs:

○ “Please Keep Door Closed At All Times”


○ Tobacco, Newspaper, and Junk Food

● 80% of surveyors say that individuals only stay outside of business for around 1-2 minutes

Jackson’s Soul Food


○ Open Monday through Sunday, from 6 am to 7 pm


○ Apartments do have nice/safe exterior

■ 60% of surveyors agree


○ 1

● Safety Methods:

○ Get down, lock doors, and head to the back of the restaurant

● See violence 1-3 times a week

○ 50-79% Gun-related violence


● Believes leading cause of gun violence is drugs

● Believe kids are affected by gun violence

● Signs:

○ “Cash Only”

○ “No Fumar, No Smoking”

○ “Closed Circuit Television”


○ Various dishes served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

● 80% of surveyors say that individuals only stay outside of business for around 1-2 minutes

People’s BBQ Pit

● Owner:

○ Derrick


○ Monday: 11:30 am - 8:00 pm

○ Tuesday - Thursday: 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

○ Friday - Saturday: 11:30 am - 11:00

○ Sunday: 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm

● Not close to schools/churches

● Close to apartments


■ All surveyors agree


○ 3

● No safety methods in place




● Believes that gun violence affects the future of their business

● Believes leading cause of gun violence is lack of education and economic issues


● Sign:

○ No trespassing


○ Restaurant

● All Surveyors say that individuals only stay outside of business for around 1-2 minutes

Personal Narratives

Do you believe summer activities in youth aid in reducing gun violence in the community? If so why?

“Yes, because a lot of young people are involved in gun violence, and they shouldn’t be.”

“No, because no matter how many summer activities there are, it’s still going to be violence going on in the

community.”

“Yes, because kids are active, and not getting in trouble.”

“It varies, because in the daytime they’re doing something, but at night there’s no program. Most of it depends

on the parents and if they have a parent who doesn’t care most likely they will get shot.”

Has anyone close to you been involved in gun violence?

“Yes, uncle got shot over dice game. It hurt my family and I, made me want to get a gun myself.”

“Yes, dad. Drive by wasn’t meant for him. Didn’t die we were sad and worried.”

“Yes. My close guy friend got killed over gang violence and it affected my family, and his family because he

wasn’t the type of person to get caught up in gang violence.”

“Yes, my brother was killed by a gun.”

Do you feel safe walking around the community of Overtown?

“Yes, I’m used to the environment.”

“Yes, sometimes I feel unsafe walking around at night because of gun violence.”

“Yes, sometimes. I feel unsafe walking around at night because of gun violence.”

“No, because I think the atmosphere changed.”

What do you believe is the key cause of gun violence?

“The lack of care and guidance.”

“The cause of gun violence are the gangs.”

“Our youth and the songs they listen to; the influence they get from the community.”

“Drugs, retaliation, people who want to impress others.”

How would you rate the safety of your community on a scale of 1-10? Does gun violence have a role in your

rating?

“Five. Yes, because there is a lot of shootings that take place in Overtown.”

“One. Yes, because I just lost a big brother to gun violence.”

“Six. Yes, because just the other day they were shooting next to my house.”

Do you believe that police visibility reduces crime?

“Yes, because when the police come around things cool down.”

“No, because people don’t have respect for authority how they used to.”

“Yes, because people aren’t that crazy when police are visible.”

Do you believe Gun Buybacks help in the reduction of gun violence?

“Yes, it helps people give back the guns and stop the violence.”

“Yes, it helps people give back the guns and stop the violence.”

“Yes, but nobody knows about the program, so they need to advertise the program.”

“Nope, because everybody don’t turn in their guns.”

Conclusion

According to americanprogress.org, acts of gun violence take approximately 30,000 American lives every year,

with gun violence being one of the leading causes of death among teens. Gun violence has left a significant mark

on the youth of the Overtown community. Considering the demographic that was sampled, the Overtown

community is primarily consists of black and Latino families. In the United States, blacks are roughly thirteen

percent of the population; yet, in 2010, research showed that blacks suffered fifty-six percent of all firearm

homicides.

Many youth in the Overtown community are often negatively affected by gun violence. During the student

interviews, an overwhelming majority of the youth were personally connected to victims of gun violence, with

approximately half of those surveyed having lost a family member to gun violence. What is of note, however, is

the psychological effect that can be had on these inner-city youth. Overtown youth may possibly suffer from post-

traumatic stress disorder, depression, attachment issues, difficulty concentrating, sleep disorders, suicidal

thoughts, alcohol and substance abuse, as well as an increased rate of delinquent behavior. On average, children

experience violence more frequently than adults. According to a major 2008 study, sixty percent of children

reported having been exposed to violence in the past year, directly or indirectly.

However, not only the youth are affected; businesses and summer programs within the community are also

negatively impacted and are left to deal with the effects that gun violence has on their customers and program

attendees, respectively. Sixty percent of the businesses surveyed had no current safety methods in place, while

many of the businesses feel as if the success of their organizations are threatened by gun violence. Even the

owner of a historic restaurant such Jackson’s Soul Food, which has been serving the community of Overtown

since 1946, feels that gun violence could potentially lead to the closing of their business.

There are various things of note to be taken and discussed from the findings of the program surveys. The programs

were often in consensus about the techniques utilized to increase the safety of their organizations, as well as the

impact that gun violence had on the children. Additionally, all programs rated the safety of their organizations at

5, with 5 representing the safest location and conditions possible. The programs surveyed also developed various

means to combat gun violence, should such a hazardous situation occur. On a larger scale, there are other means

that could possibly be used to prevent gun violence. These include the standardization of anti-weapon policies

and procedures, implementation of gun violence curriculums, and the establishment of student groups against gun

violence. There were instances in which the program directors offered differing opinions and information about

their organizations. The primary concern for the directors is the effectiveness of summer activities and programs

reducing gun violence in the Overtown community, and the data collected demonstrates that this is indeed true.

However, the issue that is raised with these programs and activities is whether or not the effects that they have

are lasting. It is problematic to consider that many of these programs are unable to have a lasting impact on the

community when the primary focus of the programs is completing requirements or distracting youth, rather than

actual growth and development.

FACE Community Research paper - Gun Violence

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Transcript of FACE Community Research paper - Gun Violence