Association Between School Closure and Neighborhood Firearm Violence: Evidence from Chicago and Implications for Prevention

The authors investigate the impact of the 2013 closure of 49 public elementary schools in Chicago on firearm violence in surrounding neighborhoods. Their analysis reveals that neighborhoods near schools that remained vacant experienced significant increases in shooting rates, particularly among youth, suggesting that long-term school vacancy may exacerbate community firearm violence. These findings highlight the need for policymakers to consider the implications of school closures on public safety and community well-being.