Wichita council debates funding for program aimed at mitigating violence

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A program meant to alleviate violent crime in Wichita is in limbo.

The violent cessation program, Cure Violence, is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council will vote on two things related to the program. Either allow the program to extend through 2025 with no additional money needed, or fund Cure Violence for an additional year through September 2026 at a price of $1.6 million, which is also money ARPA that the city still has.

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu proposed redirecting $1.6 million in COVID funds elsewhere with the help of the Wichita Fire Department.

“There are three options: the fire storage facility, Patrol East, or option C, it was a fire apparatus,” Wu said Friday at the city council’s agenda review meeting.

“If we chose fire over riot switches, does that mean future CIP dollars could be released for other items?” Mayor Wu asked Wichita City Manager Robert Layton.

Layton responded that if the $1.6 million proposed for the Violence Interruption Program was instead redirected to a CIP project, that would free up more money for other CIP projects. The embezzlement comes as the city faces a budget shortfall.

The review explaining the reason for expanding the Violence Interruption Program says, “However, delayed effects, such as behavior change or improved health, take time to manifest and should be assessed over a longer period.” Essentially, if the program were stopped early, the city might not understand the long-term effect of reducing gun violence.

A 13-person team, distinguished by wearing bright orange, is part of Wichita’s Violence Interrupter Initiative, Cure Violencea nonprofit program with Destination Innovation, focused on two areas in Northeast and South Wichita. The goal is to reduce gun violence in the city.

Council member Becky Tuttle said during the agenda review, Chief Joe Sullivan promoted the Violence Interruption program Friday when discussing a shooting that killed a 13-year-old boy. Tuttle was confused that the board is creating a battle between public safety programs, “I find it a little distasteful that we’re deciding between police and fire.”

Friday’s discussion at the council’s agenda review follows Wichita Firefighters Union Ethics Complaint against Wu for allegedly telling Wichita Fire Department Chief Tammy Snow to cut 42 positions.