Brennen Brothers, news editor

The Minneapolis City Council has approved new contracts with violence interrupters to reduce violence within the city. CBS news shares the five groups that were on the contract, writing “MinneapolUS violence interruption program’: Restoration, Inc. and A Mother’s Love Initiative in north Minneapolis and T.O.U.C.H. Outreach, Sabathini Community Center and MAD DADS of Minneapolis in the city’s southside.” 

This contract excluded Metro Youth Diversion, a violence interrupter group that assists in de-escalating possible violent matters on Cedar-Riverside. During a city council meeting on March 17, city council members stated that “the Metro Youth contract was not renewed because the neighborhood is no longer in the top eight areas of violence in Minneapolis,” writes MN Daily. They continue and share a quote from Ward 6 City Council Member Jamal Osman, “They say, ‘Oh, because that area of the city, it’s safe.’ The data doesn’t support it. We don’t have a lot of crimes. And I say that’s the point. Because we invested in that part of the community. We bought those services, and they have worked. So we shouldn’t be taking away something that’s working.”

Osman is not the only member of the community concerned about Metro Youth Diversion going away. The West Bank Business Association, North Central University and the Elliot Park Corporation have also sent letters to various city officials voicing their public concerns, reports MN Daily.

MPR News explains that violence interrupters came to the area in 2021. Osman shares the fact there has been a reduction of crime in the ward, showcasing the effectiveness of the program, and wonders why it would be eliminated when it was working. 

On March 27, a vote was held by the Minneapolis City Council, and with a result of 11-1, with one being absent, the Minneapolis City Council decided to reallocate $640,000 of public safety funds to the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, shares MPR News. CBS news states that, according to city documents, Interrupters are expected to work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Schedules may be altered based on seasonal changes.
Osman shared in a public statement, “This will then allow us to increase the budget by allocating those funds for the Neighborhood Safety Department who carry out MinneapolUS Strategic Initiatives, to ensure violence interruption services continue in Cedar Riverside and Elliot Park. This funding will ensure that the essential work of Violence Interrupters can continue without interruption. The Neighborhood Safety Department will oversee the allocation of these funds, reinforcing our city’s commitment to reducing violence and supporting community-based solutions.” He ended his statement by thanking the 11 council members who voted in favor of this action.