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The Vera Institute of Justice has announced "Coordinating Safety: Building and Sustaining Offices of Violence Prevention and Neighborhood Safety," a new report that spotlights how centralized local offices of violence prevention or neighborhood safety (OVP/ONS) could play a key role in curbing crime in U.S. communities while lessening the load for police departments. This timely research comes as part of Vera's ongoing efforts to redefine public safety through data-driven, community-oriented approaches.
The details around the new initiative begin to reveal its potential benefits.
According to a Vera press release issued on Nov. 20, the new report assesses OVP/ONS in the United States, highlighting best practices and providing tactics for establishing an office.
Notably, these organizations are already showing promising results across multiple jurisdictions.
According to the Vera press release, OVP/ONS in the United States number 48, operating at both city and county levels. Another 10 or more are in development. These OVP/ONS promote and support evidence-based solutions, such as community-based violence intervention. Vera noted as an example the Office of Neighborhood Safety in Richmond, Calif., which helped the city reduce homicides by 62% and firearm assaults by 79% over a 15-year span. Within two years of launching, Albuquerque Community Safety had diverted 60% of about 45,000 911 and 311 calls for service from police by deploying its team of professionals trained in mental health and social services.
Daniela Gilbert provides deeper insight into the philosophical shift these offices represent.
"Prioritizing health and healing—rather than punishment—moves us closer to the justice and safety communities need and deserve. Offices have the potential to establish a radically new model for governments seeking to build safer, healthier communities and fundamentally redefine public safety," said Daniela Gilbert, director of Redefining Public Safety at Vera.
