City advances funding to continue Street Team 'curbside counselors' after interim evaluation shows declines in local violence

Budget & Finance advanced two related contracts to sustain a Street Team credible‑messengers pilot that the city says combines trauma‑informed outreach, mentorship and wraparound referrals.

Pastor Jeffrey Dennis and Marcel McDaniel (Minority Behavioral Health Group) described a model in which trained community mentors—often people with lived experience—conduct persistent outreach, intervene to prevent retaliation, connect people to behavioral‑health supports and basic needs services, and accompany clients to court or resources when needed. McDaniel gave a field example in which counselors engaged a 17‑year‑old who had been pistol‑whipped; staff redirected the youth away from retaliation, provided court support and linked him to opportunities.

Dr. Allison Drinker presented interim evaluation results from the pilot’s first 18 months: comparing 2024 to 2025, Akron Police Department data show a 21% reduction in shooting victimizations across the city and a 59% reduction in the Street Team’s designated focus area. Felonious assaults rose 6% citywide but fell 30% in the focus zone. Drinker emphasized that effective street‑level violence interruption combines relentless outreach with extensive wraparound services (jobs, court support, transportation and behavioral‑health referrals).

Committee members praised the approach and urged faster expansion and additional funding; Budget & Finance clarified the package for the coming year totals roughly $500,000 across two contracts (about $450,000 to operate the Street Team and $50,000 for continued evaluation/data analysis). The committee placed both contracts on the consent calendar for council consideration and discussed exploring increased funding in future budgets to scale the intervention into additional neighborhoods.