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Tucson officials report declines in violent crime at targeted VIVA sites; program expands to Fort Lowell corridor
Summary
City staff and Tucson Police presented progress on the VIVA place-based violence-reduction program, reporting sustained incident reductions at three original sites and describing outreach and place-management steps in a new Fort Lowell corridor site.
Tucson — City officials and the Tucson Police Department on Aug. 19 updated the mayor and council on the VIVA (Violence Interruption and Vitalization Action) program, a place‑based strategy focused on reducing gun violence in micro‑locations.
Assistant Chief Shaner and program staff described the program's origins with the National Policing Institute and University of Cincinnati place‑network model. The evaluation of the initial three sites showed sustained incident reductions (overall incidents down 20–30% with some measured gun-violence drops of up to 75% in early evaluation), staff said. Community Safety, Health & Wellness staff reported more than 1,100 resident contacts this year, community resource fairs, and a Community Safety Leadership Institute for neighborhood leaders.
City leaders announced expansion into the Fort Lowell corridor, a corridor‑style site with open‑air dynamics and a high concentration of homelessness and open‑air drug use. TPD described targeted interventions — camera partnerships, business check‑ins, alley closures and property remediation — while community teams emphasized ongoing outreach and resource connection. Council members urged stronger county engagement and additional youth and anti‑poverty investments in VIVA neighborhoods.
What comes next: staff will continue site‑based interventions, evaluation of the Fort Lowell corridor, and coordination with county justice stakeholders and service providers.
