In a city grappling with the persistent issue of gun violence, Detroit has turned to community-based solutions with promising results. A recent study highlights a significant decrease in violent crime in certain areas, thanks to a targeted intervention program.
The initiative, called ShotStoppers, involves local organizations that are financially supported to combat gun violence in Detroit’s most affected zones. These organizations focus on high-risk individuals through various community engagement strategies.
Since its inception in the summer of 2023, ShotStoppers has been working independently of the city’s gunshot detection system, ShotSpotter. A study by the University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions initiative has revealed that in its second year, areas with community violence intervention (CVI) programs saw a greater reduction in gun violence compared to the rest of the city. The study, which can be viewed here, notes a 33% decrease in homicide victims and a 38% reduction in non-fatal shooting victims in CVI zones. These numbers contrast with the 12% and 26% reductions, respectively, in other areas.
Sam Stragand, who co-authored the study and is a senior program manager at Poverty Solutions, emphasized the encouraging nature of the data, although the results can’t be solely attributed to the program. The selected zones, previously known for high gun violence, have seen homicides drop to single digits.
Within the ShotStoppers framework, six organizations oversee individual zones ranging from three to five square miles. Their impact—and funding—is primarily assessed on the reduction of shooting incidents.
Mike Peterson, who directs the Community Violence Intervention for the City of Detroit, regards ShotStoppers’ structure as vital for its efficacy. “We didn’t want to get in the weeds of just paying for busy work, if you will — compensating groups just for being active,” Peterson noted. He stressed the importance of accountability in specific areas to gauge program success.
Organizations involved have significant autonomy in choosing their methods to curb violence, employing strategies such as conflict de-escalation, mentorship, and community events. Many “violence interrupters” have personal experiences with gun violence, which they leverage to influence those at risk.
Peterson explained, “They can show up and be in spaces that we can’t. They know of things that are happening before we do … That’s the superpower.” The police also collaborate, notifying the organizations of shootings to prevent retaliatory violence.
Each CVI team receives an annual budget of $700,000, with opportunities for additional performance-based bonuses. Funded initially as a two-year pilot by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, ShotStoppers has become a permanent fixture under the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety.
Access to stable funding has allowed these organizations to enhance their operations, making long-term plans viable. Despite the successes, Peterson remains focused on continuous improvement, aiming to integrate community violence intervention as a key component of the city’s public safety strategy.
“Just like you have police, just like you have EMS and fire, community violence intervention should be one of those pillars, one of those arms of public safety,” Peterson said. He is committed to refining the program to solidify its role within the broader public safety framework.
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