GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A program designed to reduce violent crime in Grand Rapids is working according to its leaders.
Cure Violence GR is in its third year of operation. Its goal is to prevent violence before it happens.
One of the organization's leaders told city commissioners Tuesday that certain neighborhoods in its target area that have seen a continuous decline in violent crimes.
In its first two years Cure Violence targeted the city's third ward.
Graphics shared Tuesday showed a downward trend of violent crime in ward three. They say there was a 37% decrease overall in aggravated assaults.
The group now wants to widen its reach, expanding in 2024 to the first and second wards.
Program leaders say because of its success in limiting crime, parents are reaching out and requesting help with their children; school districts are asking the Cure Violence team to visit and engage with students; and local businesses have asked for the team to visit in places like the mall, bus and stations.
Various statistics were shared Tuesday showcasing Cure Violence's involvement in the community:
- Cure Violence engaged in 2,628 interactions that led to violence detections and interruptions.
- Cure Violence had 279 interactions that led to the identification and treatment of high-risk individuals. These interactions helped diffuse immediate conflicts that had a probability of leading to gun violence.
- 374 interactions led to mediations with key individuals involved in other conflicts.
- 126 community engagement events.
- 1,000 residents have participated
- 13 court cases have been attended to advocate for individuals to keep them out of justice system.
- Cure Violence made 216 visits to the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center.
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