By Aqeela Sherrills
In recent months, the Department of Justice “cancelled hundreds of grants to community organizations and local governments,” which included funding for programs authorized under the bipartisan Safer Communities Act.
Hundreds of organizations doing life-saving work that makes communities safer and more resilient are dealing with the devastating and reeling impact of these cuts, including ours. But the cost to communities won’t be counted in jobs lost. Sadly, the costs will be counted in the number of lives lost when grassroots community violence intervention (CVI) programs disappear, leaving a void in communities like South Central while simultaneously leaving our law enforcement partners without a critical tool to reduce violence.
The difficult conversations I had to have started with telling 20 team members they no longer had a job. Countless CVI organizations across the country had the same conversation, including the organizations we provided training and technical assistance to under the agreement. These are Americans who have worked tirelessly to help Los Angeles reach its lowest level of violence since 2017 and who helped move Newark off the top 10 most violent cities list. But that is not where the difficult conversations will end. We all will be forced to have difficult conversations when our communities in red and blue states feel the impact of these cuts. Conversations with families who lose loved ones. Conversations with partners about how we solve more entrenched problems with less funding.
But we could be having different conversations. We know what works, and these cancelled grants were funding innovative, community-driven approaches to make communities from South Carolina to South Dakota to South Central safer for everyone. We have seen firsthand the limitations of traditional public safety approaches. Community-led and community-centered public safety approaches are evidence-backed, proven strategies embraced by police chiefs and bipartisan leadership at every level of government to end this public health crisis across the country.
Community-based approaches are not simply about reducing gun violence. Those reductions are important outcomes, but the real focus is working with people to build communities that produce safety. These programs achieve that by boosting youth civic engagement, creating economic and educational growth opportunities, mentoring youth and young adults, increasing access to mental health support and advocating for victims and survivors. This proven strategy enhances community safety and well-being because it engages community members, especially youth, in constructive and meaningful ways.
At this moment, which is also National Crime Prevention Month, I am compelled to raise my voice to uplift the dedicated efforts of CVI workers who are creating safer neighborhoods nationwide. These remarkable individuals draw from their life experiences to connect with those living in neighborhoods most affected by violence.
Safety is a shared responsibility that requires a collective commitment from all sectors of society, including federal, state and local governments. We must recognize and appreciate the essential role of national and grassroots CVI programs by showing commitment to long-term investments that make Americans safer for decades to come.
