MinneapolUS

Our violence interrupters identify and calm conflicts that may lead to serious violence.

Reducing the spread of violence

We know violence is contagious. Our Violence Interrupters help reduce the spread.

They are effective because they:

  • Come from the communities they work in
  • Have relationships in the community
  • Are personally familiar with the impact violence has on their community

You will see them in:

  • South Minneapolis — In and around the Central, Powderhorn, Bryant, and Bancroft neighborhoods and the Lake Street corridor
  • North Minneapolis —On and around Broadway
  • Cedar-Riverside
  • Downtown 

Watch a 57 second video about MinneapolUs on YouTube 

 

What they do

  • Detect potentially violent conflicts and events
  • De-escalate things before they become violent using:
    • Informal mediation
    • Non-physical conflict resolution
    • Interruption expertise
  • Interrupt the cycle of violence
  • Support behavior change for people who may be at risk for serious violence by:
    • Communicating about the costs of using violence
    • Helping them access services they need to be violence-free
  • Mobilize communities to reject violence

 

What they don't do

  • Provide law enforcement services
  • Carry weapons
  • Respond directly to 311 or 911 calls 

Training

We have worked with Cure Violence Global, a leading practitioner in the field.

Through the relationship with Cure Violence Global: 

  • MinneapolUS Team Leaders completed 20 hours of leadership training 
  • MinneapolUS Violence interrupters completed 40 hours of Violence Interruption and Reduction Certification training 

Read about Cure Violence Global

Program impact

From May 15 to December 31, 2021

Over 150 Violence Interrupters provided services through over 850 outreach shifts. They reported:

  • Nearly 9,000 contacts
  • Over 1,500 mediations

We continue to monitor and evaluate the program.

Definitions

  • Contact -  Engagement with and individual at high risk of being a victim or perpetrator of gun violence. 
  • Mediation - Active engagement to de-escalate conflicts that could lead to gun violence. 

Contact us

Neighborhood Safety

Email Neighborhood Safety

Address

250 Fourth St S, Room 110
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Office hours

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday