The Impact of Newark's Operation Ceasefire on Trauma Center Gunshot Wound Admissions

Abstract

We examined the impact of Newark's Operation Ceasefire on gunshot wound admissions (GSW) to the Level 1 Trauma Center at University Hospital for a three-year period. Interrupted time series analyses revealed that there were no statistically significant reductions in GSW rates in the Ceasefire Zone after the introduction of Ceasefire in Newark. Similarly, there were no statistically significant changes in GSW rates in the matched comparison zone or the Trauma Center's wider catchment area. A dual kernel density hot spot map confirmed these findings by identifying changes in hot spots that were non-systematic, with no consistent pattern of change over time. Future research should focus on conducting both process and outcome evaluations of the various adaptations of the Ceasefire model in order to help inform policy makers' decisions regarding the selection of violence reduction programs.