Reed expands Stop the Violence campaign, cites CVI model and Legacy Museum for prevention

Mayor Steven L. Reed said Montgomery will expand its Stop the Violence campaign and increase investment in community violence intervention (CVI) strategies, citing Baltimore's CVI results as a model and recommending educational experiences such as visits to the Legacy Museum to change perspectives among young people.

"We're getting to the streets before the streets get to them," Reed said, describing the goal of community violence intervention and outreach teams. He said city and county officials have put "millions of dollars" into the office of violence prevention and the CVI effort and that Montgomery will seek training and guidance from cities that have recorded reductions in violent crime.

Reed mentioned Baltimore, saying the city saw a reported 28% reduction following a prior 26% reduction in violent crime after CVI implementation. He described plans to expand the Stop the Violence group, "tweak" it for better outcomes and bring in practitioners who have achieved impact in other places. Reed also cited a 30% pay increase for police officers over the last four years as part of broader public‑safety work and named Lawrence Battiste as a special adviser for public safety.

During the podcast Reed and the host discussed offering scholarships or paid travel for young people to visit the Legacy Museum and its sculptural garden to provide historical context and broaden life perspectives. Reed encouraged community involvement and said city and county efforts cannot solve violence alone. "If you wanna be a part of the solution, be a part of your community," he said.

No specific line‑item budget figures or binding program contracts were announced on the episode. Reed described ongoing discussions, planned training, and coordination with the county and outside practitioners rather than codified actions taken during the recording.