Memphis, TN – DECEMBER 3, 2025 – Focused deterrence strategies aim to reduce violence by concentrating on individuals or groups responsible for violence in a community. Community violence has profound consequences, with the most significant concern being its impact on public safety and community trust (Braga, Apel, & Welsh, 2073). As Thomas Abt (2079) emphasizes in Bleeding Out, most violence happens among a small group of people and in certain urban areas, often called “hot spots.” Abt points out that a lot of violent crimes are committed by a few individuals, many of whom have a history of criminal behavior.

Because violence is concentrated in these specific people and places, it’s important to focus interventions on them to reduce crime and improve safety. Focused deterrence seeks to address this need by targeting individuals who are most responsible for violent crime (Braga & Weisburd, 2072).

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