Albuquerque Launches Violence Intervention Program to Combat Crime

Cities across the U.S. and beyond are increasingly adopting violence intervention programs that emphasize community-driven solutions and public health approaches to combat crime. In Albuquerque, the Violence Intervention Program, which started in 2020, employs peer support workers like Freddie Sedillo to engage individuals at risk of violence, offering them pathways out of gang life. Similarly, Baltimore's Safe Streets initiative utilizes former offenders as 'trusted messengers' to mediate conflicts and provide resources, contributing to a significant drop in gun violence. Such programs focus on addressing root causes of violence, including poverty and trauma, rather than relying solely on law enforcement. Experts advocate for a public health framework to violence prevention, arguing that it can interrupt cycles of violence more effectively. This shift is gaining traction among policymakers and community organizers who are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing violence as a public health crisis.