WNYC — Waiting for Violence to Break Out

“We don’t divulge matters that we work hard on to the police, and the police know that about us,” Mitchell said. “We’re not sharing information that may be helpful in some sort of investigation. That’s not or role.” That code of silence lead to the demise of a Cure Violence group in Chicago, according to Jeffrey Butts, director of the research and evaluation center at John Jay College. “The precinct can feel aggrieved to find out this whole episode of violence that just happened was known, that people knew that it was about to happen and no one told the police,” Butts said. Continue reading WNYC — Waiting for Violence to Break Out

Wisconsin Public Radio—”Knockout Game” and Media Responsibility

November 26, 2013 – 7:00 a.m. (CST) A growing number of stories involving teens punching random people, knocking them unconscious, are being reported across the country.  Joy Cardin’s guest criminologist discusses the “Knockout Game,” why he says the media is reacting “hysterically” to the matter, and what can be done about it. Continue reading Wisconsin Public Radio—”Knockout Game” and Media Responsibility

WYNC – Is the News Media Over-Hyping “The Knockout Game?”

“The Knockout Game” is a phenomenon where teens assault strangers by trying to knock them out with one punch. Is this a new trend? Is the media making it worse? Jeffrey Butts, director of the Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College of Criminal Justice at CUNY assesses the patterns behind this story and how it’s being addressed by the media. Continue reading WYNC – Is the News Media Over-Hyping “The Knockout Game?”