A UC Berkeley study using comparable-city data attributes sustained, city-wide declines in Richmond’s firearm violence over 14 years to the Office of Neighborhood Safety’s street-outreach and mentorship program.
A JAMA Network Open study estimates Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) and its Operation Peacemaker Fellowship produced a 61% reduction in firearm homicides and injury shootings over 14 years.
The Fellowship began in 2010 and pairs paid, trained street-outreach workers with active firearm offenders, offering individualized social supports like food, housing help, counseling, and job assistance.
Richmond’s decline outperformed the national murder-rate drop (the FBI reported an 18.1% national decline), and the city avoided the large COVID-era spike seen in many other places.
This article — and everything on this site — is funded by readers like you. Help us continue to bring "the science of a meaningful life" to you and to millions around the globe. Yet during this time, the ONS, through continued city support and grants, was able to expand its staff and increase the number of fellows and participants.
I'm no longer terrorizing my community." The paper notes the cascading health benefits for entire communities when gun violence reductions are sustained, such as the case in Richmond. After my experience with the ONS, with my mentor coming at me every day, I got support for my stress, got a job, paying my bills, and have a kid now.
James Houston, left, speaks to residents in Richmond, California. The Fellowship uses a public health approach to preventing gun violence. Get the science of a meaningful life delivered to your inbox.
Lexington leaders say the city has made progress in reducing gun violence — but there is still a lot of work to be done.
Kentucky's Juvenile Justice Oversight Council is studying One Lexington's approach to reducing gun violence as lawmakers work to improve the state's juvenile justice system.
One Lexington and community partners are canvassing neighborhoods hit by gun violence, including near Kirklevington Park, to gather resident feedback and help prevent retaliation.
An evaluation report submitted to the Health Ministry recommends expanding two pilot programs aimed at preventing youth violence and delinquency, after findings showed lower reoffending, satisfaction among participants and improved cooperation among services.
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