Violence Reduction in Joliet, Illinois: An Evaluation of the Strategic Tactical Deployment Program

v 

 

List of Tables 

Table 

1Exchange 

of 

Information 

with 

Probation 

        20 

Table 2 Sample Parole Compliance Check Findings    

 

 

 

 

 

 

24 

Table 

3 

Number 

of 

Observations 

and 

Interviews 

 

        31 

Table 4 

Number of Shots Fired and Robberies,  

  

 

 

 

 

 

January 

2005 

– 

September 

2011 

          35 

Table 5 Poison Regression Results for Shots 

Fired 

and 

Robbery 

 

    42 

Table 6 Poisson Regression Results for Shots Fired and Robbery 

  

 

 

 

 

 

STD 

Areas 

(Sectors 

11, 

16, 

22) 

          45 

Table 7 Poisson Regression Results for Shots Fired and Robbery,  

 

      Non-STD Areas   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46 

Table 8 DiD Poisson regression Results of 

Confirmed 

Shots 

Fired 

    48 

Table 9 DiD Poisson regression Results of Robberies  

 

 

 

 

 

 

48 

 

 

 

 

 

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List of Figures 

Figure 

1 

Kernel 

Density 

Map 

            17 

 

Figure 2 Tag Line and Logo – It’s OK to Report Gun Violence in Joliet  

 

 

26 

Figure 3 Logic Model  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29 

Figure 4 Confirmed Shots Fired, January 

2005 

– 

September 

2011 

    36 

Figure 

5 

Robberies, 

January 

2005 

– 

September 

2011 

       37 

Figure 6 Confirmed Shots Fired for STD Areas (Sectors 11, 16, 22),  

 

        January 2005 – September 2011   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43 

Figure 7 Confirmed Shots Fired for Non STD Areas,  

 

       January 2005 – September 2011 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45   

 

 

 

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Appendix 

Appendix 1 Strategic Tactical Deployment Meeting Report  

Appendix 2 Strategic Tactical Deployment Activity Summary Report 

Appendix 3 Field Interview Card 

Appendix 4 Strategic Tactical Deployment Map 

Appendix 5 Strategic Tactical Deployment Roll-Call Training 

Appendix 6 Exchanges of Information with Probation 

Appendix 7 Intelligence Bulletin 

Appendix 8 Parole Compliance Check Findings  

Appendix 9 Joliet SMART Policing Logo and Tag Line Design Contest  

 

 

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Executive Summary 

 

From October 2010 through September 2012, the Joliet, Illinois Police Department engaged 

in the Strategic Tactical Deployment (STD) program aimed at reducing gun violence. The 

program involved the weekly analysis of crime data and the subsequent deployment of STD 

officers in the coming week. While similar to hot-spot policing, the STD strategy was 

supplemented with the exchange of information with probation and parole authorities in an effort 

to remove violent offenders from the community. The Joliet Police Department also participated 

in a community outreach program to increase citizen reporting of gun violence and subsequent 

cooperation with the police.  

The purpose of this study, funded by the Office of Justice Programs, was to evaluate the 

success of the Strategic Tactical Deployment effort. To accomplish this evaluation, researchers 

used both qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. The qualitative analysis utilized a 

process evaluation to determine the extent to which the Joliet Police Department understood and 

implemented the proposed research strategy. Qualitative data were gathered through 

observations of STD meetings, field observations, and interviews of program participants. The 

goal of the qualitative analysis was twofold. First, researchers sought to determine the extent to 

which the STD program was implemented by Joliet police personnel. Second, qualitative 

methods were utilized to discover the utility of the exchange of information between police and 

probation/parole authorities.  

 

Quantitative methods were used to determine: 1) whether the STD process had an impact on 

gun violence in Joliet, 2) whether violent crime was impacted by the STD strategy, and 3) the 

impact of enhanced cooperation with probation and parole authorities. Data analyzed included 

indicators of violent crime, the location of STD zones, and police activity measures. The police 

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activity measures were used to measure the impact of increased law enforcement efforts within 

the STD deployment zones. Measures included the number of strategic tactical deployments, the 

number of arrests affected by STD personnel, and the number of probation/parole contacts made 

by STD personnel. Sociological and demographic variables were also included to control for 

potential differences between the STD areas. 

To further assess and clarify the potential impact of 

the STD strategy on violent crime, we conducted an interrupted time series quasi-experiment.

 

 

Overall, the Joliet Police Department was successful in implementing the STD process: 

crime and intelligence data were analyzed, STD areas were determined, officers were redeployed 

to the STD hot spot areas, and information was regularly exchanged with probation and parole 

authorities. In addition, a time-series analysis provided evidence that the STD intervention did 

lead to reduced levels of gun violence.

 

While modest, greater reductions in shots fired calls were 

achieved in the STD areas when compared to the non-STD areas, however, both areas had 

reductions. 

Although the results indicate a reduction in shots fired during the intervention 

periods, these reductions were not statistically significant. While t

hese findings support the 

argument that directed police patrols can have a positive effect on crime further research is called 

for.    

   

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