Tough enforcement against gangs in Chicago has not helped reduce the problem of gang crime and violence. That’s according to a new report released Wednesday by the Justice Policy Institute, a Washington D.C. think tank. Chicago Public Radio’s Mike Rhee has more.

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The report says gang membership and crime appear to be on the decline nationally. But it says that’s not the case in Chicago or Los Angeles. Ironically, the report says leaders in both cities have focused heavily on law enforcement to combat the problem of gangs. Study co-author Judy Green says that’s not the solution.

GREEN: Our argument is that in fact it’s the crackdowns on gangs, decades and cycles of gang sweeps and mass arrests of gang members, and civil injunctions and long prison sentences that help to institutionalize gangs.

Green says in comparison, New York City has, in her words, “solved” its chronic gang problem by using prevention methods. The study was based on interviews and analysis of previously published statistics and reports. The Chicago Police Department was not available for comment.

I’m Mike Rhee, Chicago Public Radio.