Description
Whereas recent research on civilian/community-led protection and violence prevention efforts has largely focused on communities in the Global South—frequently subject to military intervention and/or peacekeeping in the name of protection—this paper turns attention instead towards such efforts in the U.S., amidst a nationwide surge in gun violence and debates on the role of police in community safety. Specifically, this paper examines public health approaches to gang-related violence prevention/reduction and focuses on the key role and expertise of so-called “credible messenger” outreach workers and violence interrupters. Drawing on program reports and/or interviews, the research asks: How do these individuals understand their day-to-day work with those at high risk of violence, and which approaches to these interactions are most crucial to clients’ decisions to turn away from violence, both immediately and longer term? Special attention is devoted to the nature of the mentoring relationship, the demonstration of alternative possibilities for being/acting, the creation of space for reflection and accountability, and the cultivation of clients’ self-worth and sense of responsibility, especially towards the community. Additionally, what are the security implications for clients who decide to move away from engagement in violence? The paper closes with broader implications for 1) the role of police in community safety and 2) responses to other violent contexts in the U.S. and worldwide.
