City Cast DC DC Just Hit a 8 Year Low in Homicides. But It Should Be Doing More
Jan 28, 2026
Dr. Joseph Richardson, M-Power Professor at UMD and co-chair of D.C.'s Homicide Review Committee, researches community violence intervention strategies. He explains why Baltimore’s sustained CVI plan worked. He describes day-to-day violence interrupter work and why D.C.’s 30-year low has unclear causes. He warns that success can trigger funding cuts and discusses federal and private funding challenges.
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Consistency Beats New Shiny Objects
- Baltimore stuck to a strategic, citywide CVI plan and kept funding it even through setbacks.
- Consistent coordination and evidence-based programs helped produce sustained homicide declines.
Street Workers Also Monitor Digital Fights
- Violence interrupters patrol both physical streets and digital spaces to defuse conflicts.
- They use informal counseling and cognitive behavioral techniques while leveraging neighborhood credibility.
Give CVI Contracts Multi-Year Terms
- Stop issuing one-year contracts for CVI providers and offer multi-year agreements to build stability.
- Use three-year contracts with renewal options so teams can sustain relationships and plan work longer term.