In Pennsylvania, cities like Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Allentown are grappling with a grim reality: gun violence is snuffing out lives at an alarming rate. Roughly 557 Pennsylvanians die in gun homicides each year. Of all homicides statewide, 76% involve a gun (slightly higher than the national average of 74%), highlighting the urgent need for action.
To effectively combat this epidemic, it is crucial to prioritize community-based solutions. One promising avenue is violence intervention programs featuring trained violence interrupters. These individuals bring invaluable firsthand experience and a deep understanding of the communities they serve. By leveraging their experiences, they are uniquely equipped to mediate conflicts and prevent violence before it escalates.
Picture them, embedded in the community, traversing the streets, and knocking on doors. Having experienced violent situations before, they have navigated the legal system or confronted the harsh realities firsthand. However, rather than letting their past dictate their future, violence interrupters opted for a path of redemption and healing.
When tensions flare, these interrupters step in. They listen, they empathize, and they mediate.
When tensions flare, these interrupters step in. They listen, they empathize, and they mediate. Though their work is not easy, it has proven effective. By addressing the root causes of violence and fostering trust within the community, they steadily make their neighborhoods safer places to live.
In Scranton, proactive efforts are being taken to address community violence. They are fostering partnerships with both residents and leaders. Their focus on supporting non-profits that reach underserved youth create an environment safer and more supportive, reducing negative behaviors and outcomes.
To truly address this issue, community-based interventions that foster trust, mediation, and rehabilitation over punitive measures must be prioritized.
Clearly a comprehensive approach is essential. Relying solely on traditional law enforcement methods falls short in rooting out the causes of violence. To truly address this issue, community-based interventions that foster trust, mediation, and rehabilitation over punitive measures must be prioritized.
Nearby in Allentown is Promise Neighborhoods, a grassroots organization dedicated to violence prevention and health equity programs for children and families. Its executive director, Dr. Hasshan Batts, is a distinguished Fulbright scholar and was formerly incarcerated.
Working with the governor’s administration, Promise Neighborhood’s innovative approach to violence prevention includes workforce grants, neighborhood beautification, and public health campaigns. With over $1 million secured in grants, their impact is tangible, emphasizing capacity building and grassroots partnerships.
However, support from the federal government for these programs has not been equal to the rising demands for violence interrupter programs. Only $50 million was allocated in the recent federal budget; but the Biden administration proposed a $100 million of funding in its budget for violence interrupter programs this fiscal year.
This proposed increase is not only significant but vital to addressing community violence. Congress must recognize the importance of this increase and prioritize additional funding. It is essential to make our communities—especially marginalized communities—safer.
The full article was published in The AFRO and is available here.
