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Commissioners praise Felons With the Future after 82‑day no‑violence stretch
Summary
Felons With the Future told the Dayton City Commission it has recorded 82 consecutive days without gun violence in North Riverdale; commissioners praised the violence‑interruption work and said they will explore making the program a permanent, budgeted city line item.
Greg West, CEO of Felons With the Future, asked the Dayton City Commission on Monday to support and scale the organization’s violence‑interruption work, saying the North Riverdale team has recorded 82 consecutive days without gun violence.
West presented the program during Gun Violence Awareness Month and introduced staff and volunteers who, he said, do “boots on the ground” outreach, conflict resolution and community trust‑building. Several team members — including Julius Ruby, Darren Bird, Ryan Santos, Terry Sims, Chris Lockett and program director Curtis “Peanut” Johnson — described daily street outreach, volunteer recruitment and training to change norms around violence.
“We’re really coming to bring awareness for gun violence awareness month,” West said in remarks to the commission. Curtis Johnson said the team has focused on fidelity to the intervention model since March and is prepared to expand citywide.
Commissioners responded with public praise and a commitment to consider long‑term support. “We’re committed to supporting you all and we want to expand this work across this city,” Commissioner Beckham said, noting an intent to explore adding the program as a permanent, budgeted line item. Commissioner Shaw and others also urged expansion and thanked volunteers for risky, frontline work.
West provided a phone contact for people who want to get involved and learn conflict‑resolution skills: 937‑270‑3731. He asked the city to help the program grow beyond North Riverdale and said staff and volunteers were ready to support a citywide rollout.
The commission did not take a formal funding vote at the meeting but commissioners said they would continue conversations and consider budget and policy steps to sustain the program.
