By Lily Robin, Josh Fording, Travis Reginal, Paige Thompson, Andreea Matei, Jerome Louison, Ramik Jamar Williams
Since the peak of violent crime in the early 1990s, New York City has experienced a sustained decline in violence but, like many cities across the country, has seen an increase in violent crime since 2019. In the 67th Precinct in particular, where the East Flatbush neighborhood is located, there were 34.5 shootings per 100,000 people in 2022. There are several community-led, government-led, and law enforcement–led initiatives in East Flatbush and surrounding areas to address violent crime and gun violence. This report examines gun violence and gun violence prevention and intervention initiatives in the 67th Precinct and surrounding neighborhoods.
WHAT WE FOUND
Community organizations employ a holistic approach to violence prevention that addresses root causes of violence using a multifaceted approach to mitigate and address violence and diffuse tension between communities and law enforcement.
Community members had negative views of criminal legal system actors and generally lacked awareness of community-based organizations involved in violence prevention work.
Several barriers exist to community-led anti–gun violence, including limited funding, a lack of supports for staff, a lack of visibility in the community, and a lack of housing for people in crisis.
We make the following five recommendations:
Rely on evidence to target research, funding, and initiatives to the areas most in need.
Leverage and grow the existing strengths of communities.
Identify and address drivers of gun violence.
Develop funding opportunities for gun violence prevention and intervention programs that encourage collaboration and visibility in the community.
Invest in community engagement and cultural competency for law enforcement and other criminal legal system actors.
HOW WE DID IT
With funding from the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), Urban, in partnership with the Kings Against Violence Initiative (KAVI), investigated gun violence and gun violence prevention and intervention initiatives in the 67th Precinct and surrounding neighborhoods through a review of existing literature, analysis of crime and shooting data, and interviews and focus groups with gun violence prevention and intervention initiative staff and community members.
Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 2025. 44p.