Council approves $396,000 agreement for national community violence intervention program after objections from local groups

The Metropolitan Council authorized an agreement (item 105) with a contractor identified in the agenda as the Research Foundation of the City University of New York (CUNY) to deliver community violence intervention services under a $396,000 agreement for the Office of Community Development. The item drew public comment from local violence-prevention groups that said they had not been consulted and sought clarity on how existing community providers would participate.

Why it matters: City and parish officials said the agreement is intended to bring a national evidence-based intervention back to Baton Rouge; police and administration officials cited past reductions in homicide associated with similar efforts. Community providers said funding that had been dedicated to neighborhood-based organizations was being shifted without local consultation.

Public comment and council discussion: Cedric Hargrave of the Baton Rouge Peace Brokers and Teaching Young Youth Organization told the council the organization works “on the front line of our neighborhoods” and asked that local groups be engaged in funding and planning decisions. Dwayne "Big Baby" Regard and others said they had been assured of follow-up meetings. Chief LaDuff described the National Network model previously used in Baton Rouge and cited a historical 34% drop in homicides when the model operated locally; he said the program includes law enforcement, community moral voices and intervention teams. Council members pressed administration staff on procurement history, funding sources and whether prior RFP applicants would be given opportunity; administration officials said some related proposals remain under review and that community applicants will have future opportunities after compliance and budgeting steps are completed.

Funding and timing: Officials said the funding source is Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds administered by the Office of Community Development (OCD). Mayor-related staff and Chief LaDuff said the national partner is being paid through an agreement with the Research Foundation of CUNY to enable rapid implementation, and that the arrangement will be used to leverage additional local and federal funding for longer-term work. Council approved the contract on a motion by Councilman Dunne Jr., seconded by Councilman Hurst; the motion carried.

Next steps: Administration staff pledged to update local applicants to the 2024 RFP process and to hold meetings with community organizations to explain how they can participate in implementation. Council members asked staff to provide follow-up meetings and transparency on how front-line providers will be integrated into the program.