Leveraging Crime Analysis to Intervene in Retaliatory Violent Disputes

This PSN 2021 project aims to provide district-wide support to enhance efforts to identify and intervene in retaliatory disputes stemming from social media, relying heavily on crime analysis, and working with a diverse set of stakeholders to prevent retaliatory violence from spiraling out of the control.  This project will build on extensive crime analysis capacity across the WDNY, be tied to existing efforts to enhance public safety in the Western District of New York, and support the strategic violence reduction plan submitted by the USAO’s office. Jurisdictions receiving funding have established analysis centers and work closely with local police departments.

This project will enhance the role of crime analysis in responding to violent crime in the WDNY and strengthen efforts to utilize crime analysis to guide intervention tactics. The exact tactics utilized in response to retaliatory violence will be determined by PSN partners and tailored to the unique needs of specific jurisdictions within the district.  Nevertheless, each jurisdiction receiving funding for this project will incorporate the following elements: 

Participation in a district-wide PSN steering committee. Under the leadership of the USAO’s office, the steering committee will convene a series of meetings to support collaboration and facilitate the exchange of ideas. 
Technical support for crime analysis. The three crime analysis centers in the WDNY will receive support to better identify and track retaliatory violence on social media, as well as funding to support their efforts. 
Support for local gang task forces.  Crime analysts in the Wester District of New York will support local gang task forces in Buffalo, Rochester, and Niagara Falls targeting high risk gang offenders that are actively engaged in retaliatory disputes. 
Evaluation of outcomes.  Working with the research partner, steps will be taken to assess outcomes across the WDNY and identify best practices. 

Interventions will target high risk disputes, that are disproportionately concentrated in high crime areas in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester.  This project will enhance public safety and the administration of justice in high crime areas across the Western District of New York.