A recent study by the University of Chicago and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has found a link between the closure of Chicago public schools and an increase in gun violence in the surrounding neighborhoods. The study analyzed gun crime data from 2010 to 2019 and found that areas near closed schools saw a 10% increase in violence, compared to similar neighborhoods where schools remained open.

Background

In 2013, the Chicago Public Schools system closed 50 schools, many of which were in majority-Black areas. The closures were met with opposition from educators and community members, who warned that the closures would have negative consequences for the affected neighborhoods. The study’s findings confirm these warnings, suggesting that the closures have had a lasting impact on the communities.

The study’s lead author, Thomas Statchen, noted that schools play a crucial role in anchoring their neighborhoods and providing a sense of community. When schools are closed, these community ties are weakened, leading to increased violence. The study found that neighborhoods with closed schools saw a significant increase in gun violence, even when controlling for factors such as poverty rates and racial demographics.

Community Response

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates said the study’s findings are a confirmation of the trauma and ongoing consequences of school closures for Black children and Black neighborhoods. Gates, who protested the closures in 2013, said she had warned at the time that the closures would lead to increased violence.

The study’s findings have implications for policymakers, who should consider the potential consequences of school closures on the surrounding communities. The researchers suggest that policymakers should prioritize the reuse of closed school buildings as community hubs or gathering spaces, rather than leaving them vacant.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.