NCJ Number
214168
Date Published
April 2006
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This report describes the Violent Crime Impact Teams (VCIT) initiative and presents VCIT program success stories from around the Nation.
Abstract
During the first 6-months of operation, 13 of the 15 VCIT pilot programs have reported decreases in homicides committed with firearms. Overall, the VCIT areas experienced a 17 percent decline in firearm-related homicides, 500 targeted individuals were arrested, 3,000 firearms were recovered, over $2 million was seized, and 2,500 other criminals were arrested. The initial findings indicate the VCIT program is effective in reducing violent crime, especially those committed with firearms. Long-term success, however, depends on the strength of the partnerships created for the VCIT initiative. The VCIT program began in 2004 as a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)-led pilot project designed to identify, target, disrupt, arrest, and prosecute the worst criminal offenders in high crime areas throughout the country. The strategy involves the use of innovative technologies, such as Geographic Information Systems, and analytic investigation techniques to target high crime areas and identify problem offenders. The initiative rests heavily upon an integrated effort of Federal, State, and local law enforcement. Indeed, the report stresses the importance of law enforcement partnerships as the key to the success of the project. By July 2004 there were 15 cities participating in the program and another 5 were added in March 2005. The cities were chosen for inclusion based on their high crime rates. Success stories from 12 VCIT cities are presented. Exhibits