Community Violence

When the Shootings Don’t Stop

Coronavirus & Guns

When the Shootings Don’t Stop

In many cities, gun violence is dealing a double blow to black communities already ravaged by the pandemic. Community outreach workers are struggling to keep up.

Champe Barton, J. Brian Charles, Lakeidra Chavis, Ann Givens, and Daniel Nass
The Very Essential Work of Street-Level Violence Prevention

Commentary

The Very Essential Work of Street-Level Violence Prevention

On the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, outreach workers are going beyond their mission of preventing shootings by filling gaps in social services.

David Muhammad and DeVone Boggan
Will Illinois’s Stay-at-Home Order Reduce Gun Violence in Chicago?

Coronavirus & Guns

Will Illinois’s Stay-at-Home Order Reduce Gun Violence in Chicago?

The city says crime is down in March. But experts warn it’s too early to draw conclusions as to why.

Lakeidra Chavis
‘Murder Hasn’t Taken a Break.’ So Baltimore Anti-Violence Workers Are Adapting.

Coronavirus & Guns

‘Murder Hasn’t Taken a Break.’ So Baltimore Anti-Violence Workers Are Adapting.

Erricka Bridgeford runs Baltimore Ceasefire 365, a grassroots gun violence prevention organization. The kind of work the group does to defuse conflicts and help victims depends on the person-to-person connections that social distancing makes challenging, to say the least. But…

J. Brian Charles
Already Fighting One Public Health Crisis, Chicago’s Gun Violence Interrupters Take on Coronavirus

Coronavirus & Guns

Already Fighting One Public Health Crisis, Chicago’s Gun Violence Interrupters Take on Coronavirus

Street outreach workers are doubling as messengers on avoiding infection.

Lakeidra Chavis
Milwaukee’s Chronic Gun Violence Looms Over the Molson Coors Shooting

Community Violence

Milwaukee’s Chronic Gun Violence Looms Over the Molson Coors Shooting

One of America’s most violent cities has made significant strides in recent years. But activists say they need more funding.

Champe Barton
2020 Will Be a Big Year for the Gun Issue

Analysis

2020 Will Be a Big Year for the Gun Issue

We asked 13 experts to help us get a jump on what's ahead.

Team Trace
Advocates Push California City to Adopt Program That Pays People Who Don’t Shoot

Community Violence

Advocates Push California City to Adopt Program That Pays People Who Don’t Shoot

Fresno's mayor vetoed Advance Peace, citing a lack of evidence. But new research shows its potential for reducing gun violence.

J. Brian Charles
Will Lori Lightfoot Be the Mayor to Finally Solve Chicago’s Gun Violence Problem?

FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence in Chicago

Will Lori Lightfoot Be the Mayor to Finally Solve Chicago’s Gun Violence Problem?

Advocates believe the city is primed for a more effective approach to shootings. Now, they are waiting to see whether the new administration will deliver.

Brian Freskos
Most Shooters Go Free in Chicago’s Most Violent Neighborhoods — While Police Make Non-Stop Drug Arrests

FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence in Chicago

Most Shooters Go Free in Chicago’s Most Violent Neighborhoods — While Police Make Non-Stop Drug Arrests

An analysis of city data finds disparities in how the police pursue criminal offenses between white and non-white neighborhoods. “They’ll get a person for marijuana before they’ll get a person for murder.”

Sarah Ryley
Where Chicago Shootings Go Unchecked, Owning a Gun Can Feel Like a Necessity

FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence in Chicago

Where Chicago Shootings Go Unchecked, Owning a Gun Can Feel Like a Necessity

“The need for protection still exists, whether you can legally carry or not,” says one expert.

Arionne Nettles
A Hidden Ingredient in Chicago’s Gun Violence: The Lack of Housing Options for At-Risk Young Men

FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence in Chicago

A Hidden Ingredient in Chicago’s Gun Violence: The Lack of Housing Options for At-Risk Young Men

“We know that wherever there is homelessness and housing insecurity, there is violence. So I think anybody who is concerned about crime in a city like Chicago should look at homelessness as a contributing factor.”

Nissa Rhee
For Chicago Kids Shaken By Gun Violence, a Shortage of Trauma Support Compounds the Harm

FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence in Chicago

For Chicago Kids Shaken By Gun Violence, a Shortage of Trauma Support Compounds the Harm

The city has made strides in treating the invisible scars that shootings leave, but big shortfalls remain. “While Chicago may be doing pretty well, it’s relative to a nation that isn’t adequately addressing the mental health of children.”

Nissa Rhee
Parents of Chicago Teens Convicted of Shootings Find a Common Cause in Prison Reform

FIRSTHAND: Gun Violence in Chicago

Parents of Chicago Teens Convicted of Shootings Find a Common Cause in Prison Reform

A unique support group offers a space for families to lean on each other and advocate for more rehabilitation. “One mistake or going along with the wrong group … doesn’t mean that you are a terrible person or that you can’t change.”

Arionne Nettles
‘A Drop in the Bucket’: Anti-Violence Leaders Blast Chicago Mayor’s Budget Plan

Community Violence

‘A Drop in the Bucket’: Anti-Violence Leaders Blast Chicago Mayor’s Budget Plan

A coalition of more than two dozen community groups asked the city to earmark $50 million for gun violence prevention. Lori Lightfoot's proposal calls for far less.

Brian Freskos

The only newsroom dedicated to covering gun violence.

Community Violence

When the Shootings Don’t Stop

The Very Essential Work of Street-Level Violence Prevention

Will Illinois’s Stay-at-Home Order Reduce Gun Violence in Chicago?

‘Murder Hasn’t Taken a Break.’ So Baltimore Anti-Violence Workers Are Adapting.

Already Fighting One Public Health Crisis, Chicago’s Gun Violence Interrupters Take on Coronavirus

Milwaukee’s Chronic Gun Violence Looms Over the Molson Coors Shooting

2020 Will Be a Big Year for the Gun Issue

Advocates Push California City to Adopt Program That Pays People Who Don’t Shoot

Will Lori Lightfoot Be the Mayor to Finally Solve Chicago’s Gun Violence Problem?

Most Shooters Go Free in Chicago’s Most Violent Neighborhoods — While Police Make Non-Stop Drug Arrests

Where Chicago Shootings Go Unchecked, Owning a Gun Can Feel Like a Necessity

A Hidden Ingredient in Chicago’s Gun Violence: The Lack of Housing Options for At-Risk Young Men

For Chicago Kids Shaken By Gun Violence, a Shortage of Trauma Support Compounds the Harm

Parents of Chicago Teens Convicted of Shootings Find a Common Cause in Prison Reform

‘A Drop in the Bucket’: Anti-Violence Leaders Blast Chicago Mayor’s Budget Plan