NJ Gang Related Homicides

Center for Health Statistics

Violence in New Jersey: The Impact of Gangs

Katherine Hempstead, DirectorOffice of Injury Surveillance and Prevention

Center for Health StatisticsNovember 3, 2006


Office of Injury Surveillance and Prevention

Analyzes and disseminates information on all types of injuries Assists those engaged in injury prevention activities throughout the statehttp://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/oisp/index.shtml


New Jersey Violent Death Reporting System

Surveillance project designed to provide detailed information on homicides and suicidesInformation disseminated to assist in violence prevention efforts statewide


…in our country, the greatest threat to the lives of children and adolescents is not disease or starvation, but the terrible reality of violence.”

Surgeon General David Satcher, 2002 Report on Youth Violence


Violence is a public health issue

Interpersonal violence is a major cause of injury and death to adolescents and young adults

Homicide is the second leading cause of death for those aged 15-24 years

In 2004, 120 homicides in this group, as compared with @160 motor vehicle deaths


Age distribution of homicide victims: 2004 deaths

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

< 15 15-24 25-34 35-44 45-64 65+


Racial and ethnic distribution of homicide victims: 2004 deaths

0

50

100

150

200

250

Black Hispanic White Asian


Long-term trends in homicide

Between mid-1960s and 1980, homicide rates rose sharplyRates declined during mid-1980sBegan rising again, peaking in early 1990sHomicide declined sharply since early-1990sSince 2000, the number of homicides in New Jersey has been increasing – trend is less pronounced nationally


Homicides in New Jersey, 1992-2005

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50

100

150

200

250

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350

400

450

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005


Homicide Rate per 100000, New Jersey, 1992-2005

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005


Homicide trends

After a period of declining homicides, we have returned to the levels of the early 1990sThe number of homicides has increased by over 30 percent since 2000The homicide rate has increased over 25 percent since 2000Homicides are at their highest level since 1993


Homicides in New Jersey by age of victim, 2000-2005

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Under 10 10 - 19 20 - 29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+

2000

2001

2003

2005


Homicides have risen most among young adults

Percent increase in homicides, 2000-2005

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

15 - 19 20 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44


Are all kinds of homicides increasing?

Several major categories of homicideFamily –

Intimate PartnerChild Abuse

Committed during a felony -Other arguments/quarrel Drug-related/ gang-relatedcircumstances unknown


Trend in homicides by type

Family homicides have been declining steadily over past several decadesHomicides resulting from arguments, and committed during felonies, have declined as well - but stabilized since 2000Homicides with circumstances unknown, drug-related or gang-related have risen


How do we measure gang activity in New Jersey?

Database on gang membersSurvey data on gang presence in New Jersey municipalitiesSigns, symbols, grafitti and tattoos…


How do we measure impact of gangs on violence?

Difficult to measure Homicides can be classified according to whether or not “gang-related”“gang-related” – can be divided into:

“gang-motivated” versus “gang member”but often – no information is availableNon-fatal injuries – even less information


Current sources of information on homicide circumstances

Police reportsUCR/SHRMedical Examiner’s reportDeath certificateNewspaper articles


Using these sources – explicit mention of gang- or drug-relatedness

37

53 52

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2003 2004 2005


Clearly this is an understatement There are types of homicides we associate with gang activity:

Young male victimWeapon used – usually firearmAttack occurs in public placeMultiple victims and/or multiple suspectsNo other known cause


Broader definition: “gang*”

(Circumstance associated with gang violence i.e. gang-related, drug-related, bystander

And…No circumstance not consistent with gang)Or…No circumstances knownAnd for all: Suspect is not relative or intimate of victim


About 40% of homicides in 2003-2004 fit this definition

407

135

379

175

786

310

0100200300400500600700800

2003 2004 Total

TotalGang*


Over 70% of these homicides occurred in 8 cities

Newark 94Camden 48Irvington 19Paterson 14Trenton 13East Orange 13Elizabeth 11Jersey City 10Total 222


Racial and ethnic characteristics of gang* homicides, 2003-2004

01020304050607080

% Black %Hispanic

% White

8 Big citiesElsewhere


Weapons used in gang* homicides, 2003-2004

0102030405060708090

% Guns % Knives

8 Big citiesElsewhere


Prevention

We often hear about the “epidemic” of violence

We also often hear: “Violence is not a disease. It is a learned behavior. Therefore it is preventable.”


Types of prevention strategies- public health approach

Primary – general populationSecondary – at-risk groupsTertiary - those with the condition

To develop prevention strategies, need to think about causes of problem, identify groups to target


Why is gang activity increasing now? One theory:

1. Explosion in youth violence:• Youth violence/delinquency has been rising• steadily since 1980s – didn’t decline like other crime

indicators - continuation in trend

• Cohort theory of boom in youth violence –“super-predators” have arrived


National data suggests juvenile homicide offense rates have not increased since 2000


New Jersey, 2005 (UCR)

6 % of cleared homicides were juvenile offendersMost frequent offender and victim group:25-29 year old malesCurrent increase in violence is not exclusively a youth problemMajority of criminals and victims are adults


Implication for prevention:

Can’t target all efforts at youthMost people committing violent offenses are not adolescentsThey are not affected by programs in schools, parent education…..Fewer prevention options with adults


However, gang membership is growing…

Gang membership is a significant and positive determinant of violence

Even controlling for family and community characteristics, and delinquency of peersSeveral longitudinal studies have established this

So deterring gang membership is an important step in violence prevention


Why do youths join gangs?

CommunityFamilyIndividualIn particular:Attachment to delinquent peersLow attachment to family and school“Street socialization”


Gangs and delinquency

Delinquency precedes gang membershipBut usually increases after joining Gangs have an independent effect on criminal behaviorBut those who join gangs are not randomly selected


Primary preventionSchools are a major site,

G.R.E.A.T. (AZ), other examplesParent education Community programs

After-school programs, etc.

Evaluations of these kinds of programs show modest success….could have long term effects….difficult to measure


In New Jersey: Community Partnerships for Healthy Adolescents

Grants from Division of Family Health Services, NJDHSS

Gang awareness, bullying prevention, anger management, peer-to-peer conflict mediation

Bergen Family CenterSussex County Gang Awareness Task ForceMontclair School DistrictPerth Amboy

Many similar programs funded by DHS, DOE, etc…


Secondary preventionPrograms that target those identified as being at especially high riskEx: BGCA – provides case management, special training, increased alternative activitiesEx: Early intervention programs that identify disruptive boys in elementary schools, visiting nurses….Good results for some…but expensive!


Tertiary prevention

Targets those already involved in gangsLarger role played by law enforcementEarly example, “Operation Hammer” – L.A.More recent example, “Operation Ceasefire”Community involvement important to successful efforts D.O.C. program good example of tertiary prevention – targets gang leaders in custody


Prevention efforts must be system-wide

Primary, Secondary, Tertiary all importantMust target individuals but also macro-level factorsNo easy solutions


Reducing gun violence

Important role of firearms in recent increase in homicide has been shownMajor problem - illegal gunsReducing proliferation of illegal handguns is important component to reducing fatalities and serious injuriesReducing trafficking and/or getting guns off street


Reducing inflow of illegal gunsNew Jersey has relatively strict gun control lawsMost guns used in crimes in NJ come from out of state, where gun laws are looserJersey City – “One gun a month” purchase law JHU gun violence center - ideas for local and state law enforcement to use to combat gun trafficking:http://www.jhsph.edu/gunpolicy/How%20Cities%20Can%20Combat%20Illegal%20Guns.pdf


Getting illegal guns off the streets

Buy-back program – Jersey City, other jurisdictions – generally modest results

“Consent to search” – St. Louis – parent could consent to search home for guns owned by juveniles, no prosecution on gun charges.


Conclusion: Reducing gang violence

Problem is not limited to youthViolence emerges from complex community, family, and individual, factors – requires a multi-disciplinary approachSuccessful prevention starts early in lifePrimary prevention must be coupled with other typesReducing supply of illegal guns is important component of violence reduction effort

NJ Gang Related Homicides

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