Anti-Crime Program Provides 'Vaccination' Against Violence

Developed by a university professor, the CeaseFire campaign addresses violent crime as a public health issue, and uses a neighborhood-wide information and outreach campaign to help curb violent behavior before it occurs.

1 minute read

October 4, 2006, 5:00 AM PDT

By Alex Pearlstein


Dr. Gary Slutkin, a faculty member at the University of Illinois-Chicago, founded the CeaseFire anti-violence campaign. The program "attacks violent crime as a public health issue. The program has 'vaccinated' 19 Chicago neighborhoods and nine other Illinois cities with 'outreach workers.' The workers are street-smart program employees who identify and engage individuals who are at high risk of becoming involved in violence, hoping to prevent the shootings and killings from occurring."

"CeaseFire includes a mammoth dose of public education designed to teach the communities about the consequences of shootings and killings. Neighborhoods are saturated with posters, leaflets, fliers, yard signs, bumper stickers, shirts and buttons that carry messages disparaging gun violence."

"CeaseFire has spread from Chicago to the Illinois cities of Aurora, Cicero, Decatur, East St. Louis, Maywood, North Chicago, Rockford, Waukegan and Zion. Requests for information about CeaseFire have come from Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Newark, N.J., and South Bend, Ind. Internationally, Toronto, Canada, Birmingham, England and Kingston, Jamaica, also have expressed interest in the program."

Sunday, October 1, 2006 in Memphis Commercial-Appeal

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Graphic with blue background, flags, and text reading 2024 Presidential Election

Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners

Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.

October 31, 2024 - Planetizen

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

Affordable housing

Commentary: How Can We Solve America’s Affordable Housing Crisis? CDFIs are the Key

As financial institutions whose mission is to support underserved communities, community development financial institutions can be key partners to ensure public-private efforts to build affordable housing pencil out.

October 31, 2024 - Bernel Hall

Downtown Denver as seen from behind Union Station roof sign.

Denver Voters Approve Downtown Revitalization Bonds

The city wants to bring new projects and residents to the downtown core, where 13 million feet of vacant office and retail space await new tenants.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

View of multistory buildings under construction in downtown Seattle, Washington with Space Needle and Mount Rainier in background.

Seattle Has No Plans to Ditch Parking Requirements

An update to the city’s comprehensive plan will reduce, but not fully eliminate, parking mandates for housing developments.

3 hours ago - The Urbanist

Bears Ears National Monument

Future of Public Lands Looks Litigious Under Trump

Experts say monuments and “unappropriated” federal lands will likely be the target for expanded drilling, mining, and other development under a new Trump administration.

4 hours ago - Bloomberg