Smart Justice

Send us a textPastor Rodney McIntosh knew something had to change in Fort Worth, Texas. Drawing inspiration from the Advance Peace model in Richmond, California, he launched Violence Intervention and Prevention Fort Worth (VIPFW) – a program that's transforming how communities address gun violence by focusing on individual.VIPFW's success lies in who they hire: respected community members who once contributed to neighborhood problems and now dedicate themselves to solving them. These "neighborhood change agents" possess a unique blend of street credibility and professional commitment that allows them to reach people traditional authorities cannot. As one team member explains, "You literally have to be able to be around young people and know how to toe the line, be an example for them but still be so close that they don't lose that level of respect they have for you."Unlike programs that check in occasionally with at-risk individuals, VIPFW maintains daily—sometimes multiple daily—contact with participants enrolled in their peacemaker fellowships. This relentless engagement creates unprecedented support systems for young people navigating trauma and limited options. The program incorporates education on emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and mental health awareness while providing opportunities to experience life beyond neighborhood boundaries.Fort Worth recorded zero gang-related shootings during the first six months of 2023, compared to 25 in the same period the previous year. By recognizing that those driving violence aren't broken beyond repair but overlooked and unresourced, VIPFW demonstrates that targeted, relationship-based interventions can break even the most entrenched cycles of violence.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope [Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/wewillrestorehope [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textIn this episode of the Smart Justice podcast, we sit down with Reverend Kevin Crumpton, pastor, community leader, and project manager for Pine Bluff’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) strategy. Crumpton has worn many hats throughout his career—from probation officer and jail lieutenant to school PTO president—but his lifelong passion has always been serving young people and families in crisis.As a trusted voice in his community, Crumpton plays a unique role in bridging law enforcement, schools, social services, and families impacted by gun violence. He shares how Pine Bluff went more than 550 days without a homicide, what it means to respond to families within hours of a tragedy, and how wraparound resources like grief sessions, school counseling, and even emergency relocation funds help prevent cycles of retaliation.Crumpton also emphasizes that GVI isn’t a program—it’s a strategy rooted in relationships, accountability, and hope.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope [Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/wewillrestorehope [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textYolanda Harrison and Tina Dobbins share raw, heartbreaking accounts of receiving the calls that changed everything—learning their sons had been shot, rushing to hospitals, and facing the brutal reality that their children were gone. Both women describe how this trauma fundamentally changed them, triggering serious health issues and requiring them to forge new identities in the aftermath of loss. "When he died, I died. I had to learn how to be someone else," Harrison explains, detailing her struggle with PTSD and depression despite her background as a healthcare worker.From the prosecutor's perspective, Chief Deputy Kelly Ward reveals alarming trends in gun violence across Pulaski County, particularly the proliferation of illegal firearms and their deadly modifications. What once might have been teenage disagreements resulting in minor injuries now instantly escalate to homicides. Crime scenes that previously had four shell casings now regularly have fifty due to modified automatic weapons in the hands of increasingly younger offenders.The conversation doesn't stop at describing problems—it explores solutions. Both mothers have channeled their grief into community action, founding and participating in organizations that support other grieving families while working to prevent future violence. They emphasize the critical need for early intervention with young people, teaching conflict resolution skills before conflicts turn deadly, and addressing anger management issues that, left untreated, can lead to violence.Join us for this essential discussion about the true human cost of gun violence and the community-based approaches that offer real hope for breaking cycles of trauma. Together, we can build a future where fewer families experience the devastating grief these mothers continue to navigate daily.#violence #justice #community #grieving #prosecutionSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope [Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/wewillrestorehope [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textOne of the most powerful tools in the fight against violence isn’t found in the courtroom—it’s in the community. Credible messengers are people with lived experience in gangs, incarceration, and the streets who now use their past to build trust and guide others toward a different future.In this episode, we meet Julius Buie, who spent more than two decades in gang life before becoming a credible messenger in Pulaski County. Today, he mentors youth, advocates in courtrooms, and offers second chances to people on the edge of violence.His story shows why credible messengers are essential partners in reducing shootings, saving lives, and creating safer communities.👉 Watch more episodes of the Smart Justice podcast: SmartJustice.org#CredibleMessenger #GunViolencePrevention #SmartJustice #AShotAtHopeSupport the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope [Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/wewillrestorehope [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Will Jones, Pulaski County Prosecutor, battles a staggering case backlog while seeking justice for families. Heath Helton, Little Rock Police Chief, shares hopeful crime statistics and emphasizes community involvement to tackle gun violence. Kimberly Key-Bell from the Division of Youth Services discusses the troubling effects of COVID-19 on youth mental health and education, calling attention to 'ghost kids.' Casey Beard introduces the Group Violence Intervention strategy, focusing on proactive measures to support individuals fueling violence and advocating for community collaboration.

Send us a text"When violence drops, hope rises." These powerful words capture the remarkable transformation occurring in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where an innovative approach called Group Violence Intervention (GVI) has helped the city achieve over 500 consecutive days without a juvenile homicide. Once regularly appearing on lists of America's most dangerous places, Pine Bluff is now becoming a model for how smaller communities can effectively combat gun violence.Dr. Tusty ten Bensel, a criminologist at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, leads the research measuring GVI's impact. Her team goes beyond tracking crime statistics, conducting surveys with youth in the justice system and their families to understand the full picture. This comprehensive approach reveals not just whether violence is decreasing, but why—identifying critical risk factors that can be addressed before tragedy strikes. "We're looking at it from all different points, which is very exciting, getting that full picture," Dr. ten Bensel explains.What makes Pine Bluff's story particularly significant is how it demonstrates that strategies developed for major metropolitan areas can be successfully adapted to smaller communities. The program brings together law enforcement, social services, and families affected by violence to deliver a unified message: violence will not be tolerated, but help is available. This coordinated approach creates what Dr. ten Bensel describes as "almost a wraparound service to the problem." The results speak for themselves, showing that when communities apply evidence-based strategies with passion and persistence, even entrenched patterns of violence can change. As Dr. ten Bensel notes, gun violence impacts everything from trust in institutions to economic prosperity—making effective intervention strategies essential for community revitalization. "We're not just throwing money at the problem," she emphasizes. "We're actually being very thoughtful about how to spend our resources to get the most effective outcome."Listen to A Shot at Hope on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, or visit smartjustice.org to discover how measurement turns good intentions into meaningful change.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope [Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/wewillrestorehope [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textPulaski County Prosecutor Will Jones started his role in 2023 following the deadliest year for homicides in Little Rock's history. He says it was time to find a different approach to fighting crime—one that would require him to think outside of the traditional prosecutor role. In this interview with Jones, we discuss crime trends, community trust, and a new path forward through Group Violence Intervention (GVI), an evidence-based approach he believes could be transformative for Pulaski County.According to Jones, violent crime in Pulaski County is trending downward now. He says homicide numbers are down 44% countywide and nearly 50% in Little Rock compared to 2022. But he is quick to note that success isn’t measured by statistics alone. “It’s still a very troubling number. We’re not going to stop until we get that number to zero.”He says we have to remember one key insight: most violent crime is committed by a small number of individuals. “It’s a very small number that is responsible for 90% of the violent crime,” he says. “If we can figure out a way to target that group—or help that group—then I think we’ll see a significant reduction in violent crime.”Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope [Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/wewillrestorehope [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Mark DeYmaz, pastor of Mosaic Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, passionately discusses his mission to rebuild trust in high-crime neighborhoods. He emphasizes the importance of meeting people's needs for significance and security to prevent violence. DeYmaz shares insights on transforming abandoned spaces into community hubs offering essential services like food and counseling. He highlights the power of collaboration among diverse groups and the vital role of empathy and mentorship in fostering lasting change and hope for future generations.

Send us a textIn 2021, Indianapolis was facing one of the highest homicide spikes in the nation. By 2024, the city had reduced criminal homicides by an astounding 54%. Smart Justice travels to Indiana to explore a bold new strategy that’s transforming how cities tackle gun violence. Known as Indy Peace, the city’s violence reduction model is a three-pronged approach built on intervention, prevention, and neighborhood stabilization—and it’s getting national attention.How can this help other communities? It's a roadmap that’s not cookie-cutter, but replicable—with the right leadership, resources, and patience.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope [Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/wewillrestorehope [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/

Send us a textAround the nation, gun violence is destroying families and weakening communities. And it's becoming a leading cause of death among young people. How can we move beyond just talking about this tragedy to implementing solutions that actually work? Join us for A Shot at Hope, a special series from Smart Justice. We're examining an evidence-based strategy that has already reduced gun violence in communities across the country. So, how does it work? We know that in nearly every city, only a small number of people are driving most of the violence. An approach called Group Violence Intervention (GVI) identifies those individuals and engages with them directly, trying to offer them a way out before the violence occurs. Throughout this series, we'll talk to people whose lives have been forever changed by violence and those hoping to bring the GVI strategy to their communities. And while this approach is a data-driven model focused on measuring outcomes, at its core, it's about human connection.Support the show[Website]: https://smartjustice.org/ [YouTube]: https://www.youtube.com/@wewillrestorehope [Spotify + Apple + More]: https://smartjustice.buzzsprout.com/1213400/follow [Facebook]: https://www.facebook.com/wewillrestorehope [LinkedIn]: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restore-hope-arkansas [Instagram]: https://www.instagram.com/restorehope.io/