To Keep Communities Safe, Fund the Work That Prevents Violence

Last month, I was invited to a meeting with public safety experts strategizing how to deescalate a neighborhood conflict already showing signs of violence. At the meeting, a seasoned LAPD officer told me that if anyone was going to put this out, it would be the local CVI organization.

This wasn’t a symbolic nod, it was a 30-year law enforcement veteran recognizing that community-based violence intervention (CVI) is what prevents shootings. That kind of trust speaks volumes — not just about CVI’s effectiveness, but about how indispensable it is to public safety in Los Angeles, and beyond.

CVI is a well-documented strategy to prevent violence. It relies on trained professionals who engage those closest to risk and connect them to resources and support – like conflict mediation, mentorship, and job training – before violence occurs and immediately afterward, when tensions are highest.