How can youth crime be fixed in the city?

SPECTRUM NEWS NY1February 28, 2023 After a string of shootings near schools, the police and the city are grappling with how to deal with an uptick in incidents both perpetrated by and victimizing young people. Pat Kiernan askes what it will take to make a change in this multidimensional issue. Complete recording (my comments begin at 12 minutes): Continue reading How can youth crime be fixed in the city?

Podcast — Are violence interrupters more effective than police?

Gun violence is a massive problem in American communities. And after decades of failed policies, some community members are taking matters in their own hands and working as violence interrupters. In this episode of Beyond Black History Month, we meet members of Save Our Streets, or SOS. We find out how some of the same people who once caused neighborhood violence are dedicating their lives to stopping it. Continue reading Podcast — Are violence interrupters more effective than police?

NPR — Michigan School Shooter is 1 of Thousands of U.S. Juveniles Charged as Adults in 2021

“If it’s just supposed to send a message to that kid and all other people that we take this seriously and we’re not going to stand for this behavior, therefore we’re punishing you, then it accomplishes that purpose.” But Butts says if the idea is to improve public safety or prevent future crime, decades of research show that is rarely the result. Continue reading NPR — Michigan School Shooter is 1 of Thousands of U.S. Juveniles Charged as Adults in 2021

City Watch. WBAI Pacifica Radio in New York City

On the September 19, 2021 episode of City Watch on WBAI 99.5 FM, Host Jeff Simmons focused on gun violence prevention with guests: Erica Ford, Founder and CEO of Life Camp Inc., New York City Councilmember Adrienne Adams, and Dr. Jeffrey Butts, Research Professor and Director of the Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Continue reading City Watch. WBAI Pacifica Radio in New York City

New York Public Radio– The Docket: The Tessa Majors Case and the State of New York’s Juvenile Justice System

The Tessa Majors case is a test for New York’s recently-enacted Raise The Age law, which barred the state from automatically prosecuting 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. Jeffrey Butts, who leads John Jay College’s Research and Evaluation Center, told Floyd that this is the exact kind of case that the law’s critics could use as leverage to reverse it. Continue reading New York Public Radio– The Docket: The Tessa Majors Case and the State of New York’s Juvenile Justice System