Minneapolis Violence Prevention Patrols: Summary Notes

Minneapolis is implementing violence prevention patrols to reduce crime, drawing inspiration from successful models in other cities.
The approach treats violence as a public health concern and uses de-escalation tactics.
Cities like Charlotte and New York City have seen significant reductions in killings (75% and 63%, respectively) using similar strategies.

T.O.U.C.H. Outreach is a violence prevention group that's part of the Minneapolis violence interrupters program, launched in 2021.
Formerly known as MinneapolUS, it has expanded to five groups walking the city's streets.
The team resumed work on July 9 after renewing its contract to continue on-the-ground violence prevention.
Moses Hubert, a former inmate, is now working with T.O.U.C.H. Outreach, finding it a valuable opportunity to support his family and contribute to the community.

The T.O.U.C.H. Outreach team consists of 25 to 30 unarmed members.
They operate from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
The team divides into two smaller teams:
- One covers Lake Street in South Minneapolis from Lyndale Avenue to the light rail station on Hiawatha.
- The other heads to Nicollet Mall downtown.
Their work includes administering NarCan, providing food, and, primarily, de-escalating situations.
Building relationships is critical to influencing individuals to make better choices and prevent violence.
Donald Sturgis, a team member, draws on his personal experiences with homelessness and addiction to assist community members.

Donald Sturgis uses his past experiences, including time in prison, to relate to and guide young men on the street.
Muhammad Abdul-Ahad, founder and executive director of T.O.U.C.H. Outreach, intentionally hires individuals with past criminal records.
Their lived experience is a powerful asset in community outreach, providing relatable testimony and demonstrating opportunities for change.

The violence interrupter groups are overseen by the city’s Department of Neighborhood Safety, which is within the Office of Community Safety.
The interrupter program emerged after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, amid a reevaluation of public safety approaches.
Contracts between the city and the groups total $4.2$ million.
The city plans to release a request for proposals early next year to invite more organizations to apply.

All five groups contracted with the city are trained by Cure Violence Global, which treats violence as a public health issue.
The city is finalizing a three-year contract with Cure Violence Global to provide more training to current and newly funded organizations in 2025.
The Neighborhood Safety Department (NSD) is hiring staff to handle data collection, ensuring consistency and facilitating analysis of the program's effectiveness.
Cure Violence Global will assist with data collection, including community contacts and mediations.