KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Working on lowering violence was a big topic during Tuesday night’s Knoxville City Council meeting. With a large crowd looking on, Knoxville City Council voted to extend a contract with the California-based National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform.
The proposal passed 6-3. Those in favor of the proposal said the work is important and there needs to be a collaborative effort to continue reducing violent crime in the city. Meanwhile, those against the contract said it could take away from the hard work local organizations have already put in.
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“It didn’t have any support for the already existing efforts in the city,” said Rashaad Woods, Tennessee Director of ReNOUNce DeNOUNce Gang Intervention Program. “Right now, you have organizations that are sacrificing, risking their life to be established in these communities.”
The City of Knoxville first entered into a contract with the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform in 2023. In that time, violent crime in the city has seen a continued downward trend. Terry Walker-Smith has lost two children to violent crime and says there’s more to prevention than work in the street…