Commission discusses Cure Violence model, RFP timeline and neighborhood targeting for interruption program

Commissioners addressed concerns raised during public comment about the Cure Violence violence-interruption initiative and explained the program’s design and deployment plans.

Commissioner remarks summarized the model: staff and outside experts presented a strategy that often begins in a single hot spot identified through police data and then expands as the program demonstrates success. Commissioners said the request-for-proposals process is intended to identify community-based organizations that can be trained and have relationships with individuals in targeted areas; they acknowledged that smaller nonprofits may lack back-office capacity and said the city hopes to collaborate to build capacity where needed.

Commissioner comments noted the RFP deadline was at the end of the month and expressed a desire to ensure community-based organizations who have done similar work are not excluded. The mayor and commissioners emphasized a multi-pronged approach combining interruption work, youth programming and community engagement as a broader strategy.

No formal action (motion or vote) to alter the RFP or program design was recorded during the meeting; commissioners asked staff for follow-up and to keep the Commission informed of next steps.