How we came to be

The City first identified violence as a public health issue in 2006. Initially, we focused on youth violence. Today we focus on violence affecting people of all ages.

Here are some key moments in our story.

2006

• City leaders identified youth violence as a public health issue. 
• We convened experts to create a strategic plan called The Blueprint for Action to Prevent Youth Violence.

2012

• Minneapolis joined nine other cities as part of the Obama administration's National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention.
• We released a revised Blueprint for Action to Prevent Youth Violence. 

See the Blueprint for Action

2015

• We launched our first programs to expand beyond youth violence: Next Step and Group Violence Intervention

2018

• City leaders amended the Code of Ordinances to create the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP).
• We established the Violence Prevention Fund to fund community-driven strategies.

Find the amendment in our Legislative Information Management System (LIMS)

2021

• We launched the MinneapolUS Strategic Outreach Initiative.
• Minneapolis was one of 16 cities invited to join President Biden’s Community Violence Intervention Collaborative 

We rely on others to join us in this work, including:

• Other City departments
• Other public jurisdictions
• Community organizations 
• Individuals

We partner with more than 70 community-based partners each year.