Last year, Chicago recorded its fewest violent crimes in 60 years. Yet, this year, the situation has shifted. Homicides have risen by 7%, bucking the trend seen in other cities where crime is diminishing. The challenge intensifies with summer’s arrival, a period known for increased violence.
Chicago cannot buy its way out of this issue. The end of federal pandemic relief funds and downtown’s remote work challenges strain the city’s budget. Effective use of financial resources becomes crucial. Recently, Chicago allocated $100 million to community violence interventions (CVI). CVI focuses on tackling interpersonal conflicts, which often lead to shootings, through various community strategies like street outreach and mentoring.
Cognitive behavioral interventions add another layer to CVI. These interventions help individuals reassess their reactions to conflicts, potentially multiplying the benefits of existing CVI efforts. Megan Kang, a sociologist, gathered insights from 99 men in Chicago’s high-violence neighborhoods through the READI Chicago program. This program offers participants a subsidized job, cognitive behavioral support, and outreach guidance for 18 months.
“Past violence influences future reactions, often making individuals more prone to violent responses.” – Insights from participant interviews
The interviews revealed three recurring patterns:
- Perception Change: Victims of violence may become more defensive. They learn to evaluate situations differently through cognitive behavioral strategies.
- Response Alternatives: Individuals initially see limited options when faced with conflict. Intervention teaches them to explore non-violent alternatives.
- Self-Perception Shift: Those with violent pasts often view themselves negatively. Cognitive interventions help reshape self-identity, viewing past actions as situational rather than defining.
These responses are not moral failings but common reactions to chronic violence exposure. Cognitive behavioral interventions guide people to think critically and align decisions with personal aspirations. Such programs show that behavioral change supports personal evolution, not simply crime deterrence. Seventy percent of READI participants cited personal development over violence prevention.
Incorporating structured cognitive interventions across Chicago’s CVI programs could amplify success. Statistical evidence supports their effectiveness. A randomized controlled trial showed a 65% decrease in shootings and homicide arrests among READI participants. While costing around $60,000 per participant, the program saves money by reducing healthcare costs, incarceration rates, and untimely deaths. Similar programs like BAM and Choose to Change reinforce these findings.
For Mayor Brandon Johnson, introducing structured cognitive interventions city-wide would require minimal additional funding. This approach aligns with a pragmatic, evidence-based strategy to reduce violence.
Megan Kang is affiliated with Johns Hopkins and the University of Chicago Crime Lab. She co-authored “Social Cognition and Interpersonal Violence.”
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