City Council
Homewood's Operation Better Block in line for $300,000 anti-violence contract renewal.
Group violence intervention tries to curb gun violence by focusing on the people most at risk. Now the city's public safety director wants council to approve a three-year, $300,000 deal with Homewood's Operation Better Block. The group provides technology for the program, like tracking outreach work and potential hot spots. Council is set to take it up March 11.
Written by Amy Whipple
Homewood-based Operation Better Block's violence intervention program may be extended for three years.
Director of Public Safety Sheldon Williams asked for city council's approval to continue working with the organization which provides group violence intervention technology services. The agreement will cost $300,000 over three years.
Group violence intervention (GVI) is designed to reduce gun violence by focusing on the people at highest risk for violent victimization and offending. The strategy calls for law enforcement, community partners, and social service providers to work together to prevent, or intervene in, [a][b][c][d]violence. The cooperative approach is designed to improve public safety, minimize arrests and incarceration, foster police-community collaboration, and change the narrative in neighborhoods that may have felt both over-policed and under-protected.
From a technology standpoint, the scope of work in the city's request for proposals included providing a record of activity between clients and outreach workers or case managers, tracking violent incidents and potential "hot spots" that may require violence interruption, and services in local schools.
Operation Better Block's NewEra412 contains information on over 350 organizations, programs and community events to help connect people to services such as childcare, employment and food assistance.
Council is scheduled to address the legislation at its March 11 committee meeting.
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