New DOJ Grant Allows Suffolk Researchers to Study, Evaluate Boston’s Community Violence Intervention Programs

A new grant from the Department of Justice, through the National Institute of Justice, will support the work of two Suffolk faculty members who are researching and evaluating Boston’s Community-based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative.

Erika Gebo, professor of sociology & criminal justice, will lead the research team with assistance from Carlos Monteiro, assistant professor of sociology & criminal justice.  The grant will allow Gebo and her team to collaborate with the Boston Public Health Commission, and programs funded under their community-based violence intervention initiative, which works directly with returning citizens—individuals who were formerly incarcerated—and their families in communities where there is higher violence. The research team will also work with funded program professionals to better support violence intervention efforts. 

“Our work with these organizations will allow us to see how their interventions have made a difference in the lives of their clients and their families and extrapolate how that might impact violence at the city level,” Gebo said.

The award was announced by the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs as part of a larger announcement of more than $4.4 billion in awards to support state, local, and tribal public safety and community justice activities. More than 3,700 grants will support community-based efforts and evidence-based interventions to reduce violence, crime, and recidivism.

“Through this funding, the federal government has recognized the value of community-engaged scholarship, which has great potential to impact real-world issues and policies,” Gebo said. “This funding provides a much-needed foundation to collectively understand what’s working, what’s not, and how things can be changed to increase the health and safety of residents.”

Gebo’s team will conduct interviews, surveys, and focus groups, as well as analyze other data sources, to understand how well the violence intervention efforts are working. They will provide real-time feedback that will include offering best practices information for community violence intervention.

“As a community-engaged scholar, I’m excited to continue the work I have been doing in the community with people who are incredibly passionate and inspiring,” Gebo said.