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Study Reveals Alarming Exposure to Gun Violence for Chicago Schoolchildren

Recent research has utilized acoustic sensors to measure the sound of gunfire, illustrating the significant exposure children in a Chicago neighborhood have to gunshots while commuting to and from school.

The study revealed that nearly 66% of schools in the Englewood area experienced at least one instance of gunfire within a 400-meter radius—approximately a quarter of a mile—of routes taken by students during the 2021-22 academic year.

These findings underscore the need for a reevaluation of federal metrics surrounding school-related gun violence. According to the study’s lead author, Gia Barboza-Salerno, an assistant professor of public health and social work at The Ohio State University, there is a pressing requirement to consider indirect forms of violence occurring in proximity to schools to better reflect the impact on communities of color.

“The violence faced by children is not always direct or confined to school grounds,” Barboza-Salerno stated. “However, the terror of gunfire they encounter en route to school undeniably impacts their educational performance.”

This study has been published in the journal SSM-Population Health.

Significantly, existing research indicates that exposure to gun violence negatively affects students’ academic outcomes, leading to lower performance in standardized subjects such as mathematics and English, heightened absenteeism rates, reduced school enrollment, and diminished graduation statistics.

In this investigation, researchers found that 4.5 times more instances of gunfire were detected by acoustic equipment than reported by law enforcement in official records. This stark contrast illustrates the pervasive indirect violence affecting children in Englewood, according to co-author Sharefa Duhaney, a graduate student in public health at Ohio State.

“Simply installing metal detectors in schools won’t address the violence problem,” Duhaney remarked. “Students are exposed to threats while commuting, and recognizing this reality is crucial.”

Englewood, located on the south side of Chicago, is recognized as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the United States. In 2022, it was identified as the site of approximately 10% of the gun violence reported across Chicago. With a demographic that is 94% Black and significant socioeconomic challenges, the community faces unique struggles.

Using advanced computational spatial network methods, the researchers analyzed data from acoustic sensors placed along Safe Passage Routes designed to facilitate safer travel for students walking to and from educational institutions in the Englewood School District.

The study focused on gunshot incidences during students’ morning (6-9 a.m.) and afternoon (3-6 p.m.) commutes throughout the school year.

Acoustic devices recorded a total of 610 gunshots on days when schools were in session during the 2021-22 academic year. Notably, 52% of these incidents occurred during afternoon commutes, while 12% were noted during morning travel.

The results indicate that 40% of Englewood schools experienced at least one gunshot incident within 400 meters of walking routes in the morning, and 62% during afternoon travel.

“The concept of school gun violence typically overlooks the exposure children face outside school buildings,” Barboza-Salerno pointed out. “It’s critical to consider the fear these children experience when they hear gunfire on their way to school.”

Data analysis revealed that gunfire incidents tend to cluster along streets, including designated Safe Passage Routes near schools. Duhaney highlighted that pedestrian-friendly street configurations can attract increased foot traffic, thereby raising the probability of violent occurrences.

“Students navigating routes prone to violence are not adequately protected, even on so-called Safe Passage routes,” she added.

Another challenge in Englewood is that nearly half of the residents lack access to vehicles, creating a reliance on public transportation and walking for daily commutes. Research indicates that many students feel safer when traveling by car rather than on foot, but this option remains unavailable for countless families in the area.

While the U.S. Department of Education is tasked with collecting and reporting data on school safety, the current definitions of gun violence fail to encompass the experiences of children who witness or hear gunfire.

Furthermore, efforts to enhance student safety should extend beyond school boundaries and direct acts of violence, the researchers argue. Solutions like installing metal detectors and employing police officers in schools alone cannot rectify the issue. There’s a need for policymakers to prioritize violence prevention in the surrounding communities.

“We are neglecting to tackle the fundamental issues that foster violence in these neighborhoods,” Barboza-Salerno emphasized. “Addressing root causes is essential.”

Hexin Yang, another graduate student in social work and public health at Ohio State, contributed to the study.

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