A national strategy aimed at curbing gun violence is showing promise in some Pennsylvania cities, while struggling in others. Group Violence Intervention, or GVI, was created by David Kennedy and focuses on a small group of people responsible for a city’s gun violence. The program offers resources such as education, housing, and employment—or, if participants continue violent activity, the full force of the law.
“After that starts to go into effect, it’s been very successful in cities across the country, including in York,” said Jenna Wise, reporter for Patriot News/PennLive. In York, the key to success has been “credible messengers,” individuals with lived experience who can connect with people at risk of gun violence. “They have built-in trust because they’re from there and they understand the struggles… We’re saying, ‘I can help you get on a better path,’” Wise explained.
Harrisburg, by contrast, has faced hurdles despite receiving a $500,000 grant for the initiative. Residents reported that they weren’t aware the program existed, and some trained messengers never got a chance to participate. “The project manager… isn’t well known in the community, and people don’t feel like he’s somebody they can go to and trust,” Wise said…