Homestead Gun Violence Reduction

The City of Homestead, FL will build on our historical community groundwork, in order to address the high rate of group violence that is impacting our City. Through a partnership with John Jay College, National Network of Safe Communities (NNSC), Group Violence Intervention (GVI) we will develop a real-time awareness of the involvement of high-risk groups and social networks who are responsible for the most serious violence in the city, particularly homicides and nonfatal shootings. As a community, we will develop a long term solution to address violent crime, working to deter groups and networks from driving violence, and mobilizing outreach and support to anyone who is part of the groups and needs helps staying safe, avoiding victimization, and getting stable.

Applicant: City of Homestead, FL (South Miami Dade County)

Request: $800,000.

US Attorney letter uploaded

Population: 69523 Zip Code: 33030, 33035, 33034   City is a designated Opportunity Zone

Federal Funding: DOJ JAG funding

Through a partnership with National Network for Safe Communities GVI,, violent crime data will be collected, analyzed resulting in a community based action plan  to address priority issues. GVI focuses on high-risk groups, works to address the groups directly, deter the groups and networks from driving violence, mobilizing outreach and support to anyone who is part of the groups and needs help staying safe, avoiding victimization, and obtaining stability. As part of the strategy, law enforcement commits to extraordinary focus, alongside non-law enforcement partners, on the groups when the groups are driving violence in the community.

Goal: Identify and address crime challenges in Homestead through long-term community based solutions that incorporate the NNSC, GVI model.

Proposed Activities:

 Identification of serious violent crime problem
 Building on the current foundation of law enforcement, community leaders and social service providers
Devise a response that uses enforcement strategically, while increasing police legitimacy and public safety
Focusing services and resources on those at the highest risk for victimization or offending.
Delivering prior notice of the consequences for further offenses and offering a way out.

Specific problem: Violent crime

Full time Program Manager will be hired by a partnering non-profit social service provider.

Other resources to support this initiative: This community developed a comprehensive partnership that includes residents, stakeholders, law enforcement, governmental and non-governmental agencies, social services and the clergy. These partnerships will advance our crime reduction initiative through an all-inclusive action plan utilizing the guidance of the GVI model.