Community Violence Interventions As a Mechanism for Reimagining Public Safety: A Mixed Methods Evaluation and Exploration of Implementation Determinants

Background

Community violence is a public health concern with both short and long-term consequences evident across individuals, families, neighborhoods, and broader communities. Although the body of research on the detrimental outcomes that stem from community violence exposure (CVE) is rich, the complex social problems of community violence persist at alarming rates. Communities that disproportionately experience CVE are often most affected by structural racism and serial disinvestment, leading to hyper-segregation and disparate levels of economic, social, and political resources. Despite substantial research on CVE, effective and sustainable solutions remain urgently needed. Due to post-pandemic increases in crime and the rising need for community driven public safety, community violence interventions (CVIs) have experienced increased access and opportunities for funding in the last four years. This provides an opportunity to explore the effectiveness of CVIs as an alternative to traditional public safety approaches. The findings presented expand existing research by examining the implementation and efficacy of two coalition-based CVIs in Salt Lake County. Additionally, it explores how the implementation of CVIs challenged community conceptualizations of public safety.

Methods

This presentation focuses on the implementation and efficacy of two coalition-based CVIs in Salt Lake County, Utah. A quasi-experimental design was used in the analytic strategy to evaluate the coalitions as an alternative to further investment in traditional public safety approaches. This was accomplished through an implementation-focused aim (RQ 1) gathering data via semi-structured interviews guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework to explore the key implementation determinants of multi-sector coalition based CVIs (N=28). A secondary qualitative analysis was conducted to examine emergent themes regarding perceptions of public safety (RQ 2). Finally, regression point placement design is used to evaluate the efficacy of the interventions (RQ3). The mixed-methods sequential expansion design allows for the integration of qualitative and quantitative data with equal priority (QUAN ↳ QUAL ↳ QUAN).

Results

The regression point displacement analyses revealed no statistically significant changes in overall or category-specific crime rates following implementation. However, nonsignificant downward trends were observed in select categories, and no evidence of temporal displacement was detected. Findings indicate that while CVIs have the potential to be effective, their success depends heavily on alignment across both inner and outer settings, particularly with respect to community specific contexts, needs, and structural supports. These results support the need for prevention efforts that exist outside of traditional punitive approaches, do not replicate the root causes of community violence, and focus on restorative justice and a comprehensive conceptualization of public safety.

Conclusions and Implications

Despite substantial research on CVE, effective and sustainable solutions remain urgently needed. The mixed methods nature of this study allows for the holistic interpretation of the multidisciplinary coalition approach. Critical implications for practice, policy, and research emerged, such as the necessary integration of implementation science into Community Violence Problem Analyses. This study contributes to the growing body of research on CVIs by examining coalition-based approaches to CVIs and by exploring how the implementation challenged community conceptualizations of public safety.