An effective strategy for gangs.

David Kennedy, a researcher in New York has a simple plan to reduce gang crime by 50%. WOW!

And it’s not putting people in jail. That doesn’t work.

He was interviewed by CBC this morning. The plan, in a nutshell, is this: Reps from the local gangs are invited to a meeting (it’s not hard to find them–they are on parole, probation or supervised release, and attendance at this meeting is mandatory to their conditions). At the meeting, a couple of dozen officals from all departments of law enforcement and the social network are present with a united message:

You are here only as one of a group…please take this message back to your group. What you are doing is not helping the community or yourselves. It is wrong and inappropriate. There are people available to help you turn things around in your own life. Stop the criminal activity. Stop the killing. The next gang that is involved in a killing will be put under a magnifying glass. Not only will the man who pulled the trigger be punished with a long jail term, every one of his associates will be investigated for whatever they have done wrong—drug charges, traffic tickets, parole violations—every one of his associates will face consequences on everything possible to the fullest extent of the law. Go back and tell your fellow gang members this.

What intrigued me most was when he said that most gang members don’t like what they are doing. They are scared, and recognize that their activities aren’t in keeping with how they really want to live. However, once in a gang, is breaks the code of honor to announce that one is withdrawing—there is no way out. This gives an honorable way for the individuals in the gang to change course. The gang members are in some sense relieved that the gig is up, and they can fold with dignity.

The majority of gang violence is about respect, he says. Establishing the right for respect, regaining respect, avenging an action to save face and reestablish honor. I recall a quote I’ve referred to before:

“Respect is love in plain clothes.” Frankie Byrne

Which brings us back to every human being’s need to be loved, feel connected to others, feel like there is a place to belong, and a group of people to whom you matter. For many who’ve never had it, gangs can be the first form of true family—where a guy really feels like someone has his back. Feeling accepted and part of a group.

The meeting with the gang reps (and there are teeth behind the words) gives people real reason to look elsewhere for that sense of connection and belonging—it takes away from the safety of gangs. But (and I believe this is the key) the message is given in a respectful way to it’s audience. It is upfront and clear, the message is given in advance with clear consequences. It offers an alternative in a way that allows people to exit with dignity from the group.

This idea is so simple, it has been scoffed at. The idea is so successful, and has been proven so over the last 10 years, that it is being replicated in one major U.S. city after another.

Universal Human Longing: Belong. Connect. Be Accepted and Valued. Be Loved.