Pasadena Shootings Plummet 82% in First Half of 2024

Shootings in Pasadena dropped by 82% in the first six months of 2024, following the implementation of a targeted gang violence intervention program, city officials reported Thursday.

The significant decrease comes after the city contracted with Gang Outreach Violence and Interruption Services (GOVIS), led by Ricky Pickens, to address rising gang-related violence.

Gang-related or possibly gang-related shootings fell from 11 to two in the first half of 2024, according to the Pasadena Police Department. This reduction follows a troubling period between 2019 and 2021 when the city experienced a 125% increase in confirmed shootings.

GOVIS team members focus on conducting mediation, addressing rumors that can lead to conflict, and engaging key community influencers. The program aims to prevent violence before it occurs. 

Team members also work with community-based organizations and refer individuals to local nonprofits and other agencies for resources and services.

“Measuring the full impact of the team is a challenge since there is no practical way to measure what was prevented from occurring,” said Manuel Carmona of the City’s health department.

The GOVIS team recorded 1,512 hours of service in the first quarter of 2024 and 1,665 hours in the second quarter, both less than the 1,881 service hours reported in the fourth quarter of 2023. Outreach activities increased from 1,351 hours to 1,463 hours, while mediation activities rose from 161 hours to 202 hours from Q1 to Q2 of 2024.

Team members maintain confidential journals documenting their activities and submit monthly data collection sheets to the city’s health department for analysis and strategy updates.

City officials attribute the reduction in community violence to multiple factors, including broader City efforts beyond the GOVIS team.