In 2012, Oakland launched Ceasefire, a groundbreaking gun violence prevention program. This initiative employs trained, non-law enforcement personnel who directly engage individuals at high risk of becoming involved in gun violence, either as perpetrators or victims. The program doesn’t just intervene with words; it provides life coaching and various services through community organizations, aiming to address the root causes of violence in Oakland.
A pivotal 2018 study credited Ceasefire with a notable 31% reduction in homicides and a 20% decrease in shootings from 2013 to 2018. However, starting in 2016, the city began to slightly pull back funding for the program, largely influenced by controversies within the Oakland Police Department, shifting resources to alternative public safety measures.
Fast forward to 2024, the city has started to reinvest in Ceasefire. The initial data suggests promising trends, with homicides declining by 28% and shootings decreasing by 25% compared to the previous year. While it remains unclear if Ceasefire is the sole reason for this positive change, the data indicates that something is shifting in East Oakland.
For those interested in tracking the progress of Ceasefire’s initiatives, the Department of Violence Prevention recently introduced a data tool known as the “focused deterrence dashboard.” Launched in July, this resource is updated monthly, providing vital insights into the demographics and risk factors associated with Oakland residents most likely to engage in violence. The dashboard allows an in-depth look at how the DVP’s violence interrupters operate, shedding light on the individuals, known as “clients,” who are served by Ceasefire.
Most Ceasefire Clients Are Young Black Men
As of October, the Ceasefire program has enrolled 113 individuals in life coaching services through the Department of Violence Prevention. These life coaches are specially trained to work with clients over a minimum of 12 months, helping them identify motivations for their violent behavior and assisting them in planning constructive life changes such as finding housing or employment.
The data indicates that the majority of clients in life coaching are Black men aged 18 to 34, with a median age of 25. This demographic focus highlights community-specific risk factors.
- 87% of Ceasefire participants are unemployed, and nearly three-quarters live with family.
- Educational attainment among participants is mixed; about half have graduated from high school or earned a high school equivalency diploma.
- Many clients hail from East and West Oakland, specifically from zip codes such as 94601 (16%), 94605 (12%), 94621 (12%), and 94607 (11%).
How Are People Referred to Ceasefire?
The program utilizes various referral methods, with the most common being “custom notifications.” In this system, individuals identified as being at imminent risk of gun violence—within a 90-day window—participate in meetings with representatives from the Ceasefire partnership, including violence interrupters and officers from the Ceasefire Unit of OPD. Within these discussions, participants learn about the dangers associated with their lifestyle and are offered life coaching services.
The next most frequent referral method involves “call-ins”—quarterly meetings where a group of up to 20 high-risk individuals convene to interact with Ceasefire representatives.
- Since the start of the year, the DVP has contacted 161 individuals.
- Out of those, 111 were offered support, and 62 enrolled in life coaching.
While the numbers may appear modest, it’s important to recognize that the segment of the population responsible for most gun violence in Oakland comprises only about 0.3% of the total residents, according to the DVP.
Criteria for Being “At Risk”
Individuals are deemed “at risk” based on specific criteria, including prior involvement in the criminal justice system or personal connections to recent shooting victims. This data is crucial for identifying and supporting those most likely to fall into the cycle of violence.
- A significant 93% of Ceasefire clients have had some interaction with the criminal or juvenile justice systems, whether through arrests, charges, or incarceration.
- Moreover, 81% of participants reported knowing someone who has been shot or has faced arrest for a shooting in the last six months.
- Alarmingly, nearly half (47%) of clients have been victims of shootings, stabbings, or gunfire themselves.
Incentivizing Change Through Goal-Setting
The DVP employs an intensive life coaching model designed to steer participants away from violence while reducing recidivism rates. This approach often involves daily or near-daily interactions through meetings, texts, and phone calls.
- Since the commencement of the year, DVP life coaches have logged a remarkable 9,284 service hours dedicated to Ceasefire clients.
Central to the life coaching framework is the establishment of “life map goals.” These goals represent actionable plans aimed at addressing the underlying issues contributing to violent behavior. Participants often receive incentives for achieving these goals, making the process rewarding as well as constructive.
- In 2024, 105 participants have established life map goals, with a total of 118 goals successfully completed.
Among the 600 goals set, the focus areas varied:
- Approximately one-third aimed at increasing personal safety.
- 23% targeted job acquisition.
- 19% related to support within the criminal justice system.
The DVP also provides financial incentives for participants reaching their goals. To date, 115 clients have received an average monthly incentive of around $500, totaling $318,516 paid in incentives throughout the program.
For more deatils, explore the new data dashboard for insights on Ceasefire’s impactful work.
