Community violence prevention programs remain a wise investment

Violence prevention and intervention programs have expanded rapidly across the country, thanks to support from the Biden-Harris administration. Last June, the US Surgeon General issued the document first consultation recognizing gun violence as a public health crisis and recognizing community violence intervention (CVI) programs as a vital part of the public health approach to ending violence. But without increased federal, state and local investment, these bailout programs are destined to shrink or even disappear.

“CVI” is a new term, but cities have relied on the streets of credible messengers to de-escalate tensions and prevent retaliation for generations. These deep community ties of public safety workers allow them to reach people that law enforcement cannot.

Unprecedented federal investment has contributed to the recent growth of CVI programs. For example, many cities have used amelioration of the pandemic era funds for starting or expanding CVI programs or for local creation violence prevention officesthat improve coordination between these programs and the broader public safety ecosystem. As of March 2024, an estimate 377 million dollars of pandemic aid dollars funded 231 CVI projects.

Street outreach programs address the root causes of gun violence by connecting high-risk individuals to housing, healing resources, case management, and employment services. When properly implemented, modern CVI programs can reduce gun homicides just as much 60 percent. And for every dollar invested in these programs, they can save taxpayers up to $41 in medical and criminal legal expenses.

For example, gun violence in Detroit is down by double digits for the second year in a row after the city awarded six organizations federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as part of it. ShotStoppers CVI program. Due to increased coordination between the city and groups such as garden paths, Homicides have decreased in Bakersfield, California every year since 2022, and gun victims are down 39 percent this year. The murders in Philadelphia have dropped by nearly 70 percent compared to three years ago after the city formed an interagency task force analyze gun violence data and invest federal, state and local funds to support on a hospital basis programs and CVI programs where frontline workers connect individuals housing, jobs and healing resources.

Despite growing evidence that investment in CVI saves lives and money, these programs often operate on shoestring budgets and are often forced to it justifies their very existence. Outreach workers risk their lives spreading anti-violence messages and providing a different path for people at high risk of involvement in gun violence. Without adequate funding, these workers cannot connect vulnerable community members with the tools they need to make behavioral changes and restore a sense of hope and connection in their lives.

The administration has repeatedly acknowledged the need. In 2022, the Department of Justice created Community-wide violence prevention and intervention initiative— the first federal grant program for CVI efforts. The program quickly doubled its grant amount when Congress passed the bipartisan Safer Communities Act. In total, the Biden-Harris administration has secured $400 million in funding for this program since its launch.

But alarmingly, many of the programs either established or expanded by these federal funds will soon be at risk of layoffs and even closure. With two major sources of federal CVI funds expiring in 2026—ARPA and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—increased federal investment is more urgent than ever.

If passed by Congress, that of Nevada Democrat Steven Horsford The act of breaking the cycle of violence would establish the first federal Office of Community Violence Intervention within the Department of Health and Human Services. It would also administer $5 billion in grants over five years to regional CVI programs and provide an additional $1.5 billion for workforce training and employment opportunities for young adults in these programs. The funds proposed in this bill would help ensure that our nation’s most vulnerable cities are able to implement violence prevention and intervention efforts, and that the people on the front lines of that work are adequately compensated.

Meanwhile, instead of passing stronger gun laws and making increased investments in addressing the root causes of violence, Republicans are trying to elimination of funding for public health approaches to reducing gun violence and defunding federal law enforcement focused on solving violent crimes. In June, a spending bill advanced by House Republicans proposed nearly $1 billion in cuts to the Justice Department’s budget, which would have eliminated funding for all CVI programs, as well as THOUSAND of law positions. The bill also cut funding for government prevention research gunshot wounds and deaths.

In light of this, and recognizing the importance of expanding violence intervention programs, a growing number of states have decided to be proactive rather than wait to see if Congress can pass the Break the Cycle of Violence Act. For example, Pennsylvania’s most recent budget includes 45 million dollars for its violence prevention and intervention program, and an additional $11.5 million for regional CVI afterschool programs. Michigan’s budget included $7.8 million for CVI services and related grants. Florida is currently accepting applications for a new CVI grant program established with $2.5 million in general funds. California took an innovative approach by imposing a 11 percent excise duty on firearms and ammunition, which is expected to raise $160 million a year. Funds will then go toward CVI programs, school safety initiatives and resources for survivors of gun violence.

Cities and counties investing in CVI programs have seen record lows in gun violence and deaths. In fact, this year the United States saw its lowest “summer surge” in gun violence since 2018. Police and prosecutors play an important role in the public safety ecosystem, but we can’t stop our way out of a health crisis public – and law enforcement. it is increasingly supportive of CVI programs. Police officers admit that they cannot do this activity alone. But without additional funding for these violence intervention programs to supplement or replace what will soon expire, America’s cities can expect to see more revenge shootings and higher homicide rates in the years to come.

To avoid undoing the important progress that has been made, we need reliable and coordinated funding for CVI programs at the local, state, and federal levels. Time is running out – if we don’t invest in safety now, our communities will continue to pay the ultimate price.

Nick Wilson is the senior director of gun violence prevention at the Center for American Progress.

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