This approach is working. An analysis by Crime Lab New York (a group of criminologists, economists, and policy analysts working with the city) used a rigorous control method to compare the 15 MAP developments to a matched set of developments with almost identical crime patterns as the 15 MAP sites. When we marked the first full year of the initiative in July 2015, violent crime was reduced by 11.2% in the 15 MAP developments, compared to the preceding year. After the first six months Crime Lab found that the felony crime rate in these 15 developments was 5% lower than it would have been without MAP interventions. While citywide, violent crime did go down 6% during FY15, a recent study by the Manhattan Institute independently concluded that the effect of the MAP initiative is “promising”– citing a “10% net treatment effect on total major crime.” [2]

Over the last year and a half, we have learned a lot. We talked with over 500 NYCHA residents about what they think causes crime and how we can effectively inhibit it. We have also talked to the leading researchers in the country on crime prevention. Both said the same thing: distress is concentrated in a few neighborhoods, meaning that the places where we see the highest number of shootings also tend to be the neighborhoods that suffer from other challenges such as poor health outcomes, low graduation and low employment. To prevent crime, we need to focus comprehensively on strengthening neighborhoods and supporting the people who live in them. As we move into the next year, we are translating that research into a targeted set of strategies that focus on “People, Places and Networks” with the goal of refining a scalable, effective model for strengthening neighborhoods to reduce crime. We will continue to work with residents to identify priorities and test what works so we can replicate it.

Over the last year and with greater emphasis over the next, MAP is working to support people by reducing chronic disadvantage. Following widely accepted studies that show access to resources reduces crime levels, much of the work we have already done has focused on enrollment regarding public benefits. As one example, the NYC Human Resources Administration (“HRA”) used MAP funding to hold weekly “office hours” for appointments and walk-ins at all 15 MAP sites, resulting in nearly 300 residents meeting with benefit specialists.

Guided by research showing that the physical environment can inhibit or encourage crime, MAP has also worked to create vibrant public spaces in the 15 developments targeted by this initiative. For example, for the first time in 30 years, NYCHA community centers were open until at least 11pm, seven days a week during the last two summers. Through these extended hours at 105 community centers operated by both DYCD and NYCHA, an additional 23,300 people were served. According to a survey sample of participating youth, 41% of them had not used a community center prior to the commencement of extended hours. Additionally, during MAP’s first year, there has been a significant investment in security enhancements – lights, cameras, and locked doors – yielding immediate results as well as establishing new protocols for NYCHA developments. We anticipate continued positive results as more of the improvements are implemented. To date, under MAP the City completed construction of 52 closed circuit televisions, removed all 12,268 feet of non-construction sidewalk shedding. 1,840 security cameras were installed, and 184 temporary exterior light towers were placed to improve the lighting in public spaces. In the coming year, we will expand and refine these strategies, working with residents and experts to set priorities and track improvements.