Community Solutions to Community Problems
A comprehensive study of cities that invested in community-based violence prevention programs shows a remarkable 40% reduction in violent crime in participating neighborhoods over three years — outperforming traditional policing approaches at a fraction of the cost.
The programs, which employ credible messengers from affected communities to mediate conflicts, connect at-risk individuals with employment and mental health services, and create safe spaces for youth, represent a growing movement to address the root causes of violence.
How the Programs Work
Community violence intervention programs typically include:
- Credible Messengers: Community members with lived experience who mediate conflicts before they escalate
- Wraparound Services: Employment training, mental health counseling, and housing assistance for high-risk individuals
- Youth Programs: After-school activities, mentorship, and summer employment opportunities
- Hospital-Based Intervention: Trauma-informed care that reaches shooting victims during their recovery to break cycles of retaliation
"We've been trying the same approach for decades — more police, more prisons — and it hasn't worked," said a program director. "Investing in communities, not incarceration, is the path to real public safety."
