Community-Based Violence Interruption Programs Can Reduce Gun Violence

This policy analysis and literature review examines how community-based violence intervention (CVI) programs serve as an evidence-based alternative to punitive, carceral responses to gun violence in communities disproportionately impacted by firearm deaths. It draws on CDC mortality data, program evaluation reports, and organizational documentation from three violence interrupter programs: South Bronx’s Save Our Streets (SOS), Baltimore’s Roca program, and Richmond, California’s Advance Peace program. The finding that gun violence is primarily retaliatory and interpersonal directly undermines broad public safety justifications for detention or categorical punitive responses to youth gun possession.