Omaha, NE Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative

The City of Omaha will collaboratively expand ongoing, targeted violence intervention efforts that identify and serve individuals and groups (i.e., families) at high-risk of involvement in community violence, particularly retaliatory gun violence. Community violence, particularly gun violence, in Omaha is rising in recent months due to the aftereffects of pandemic related challenges and increased gang activity. Our multipronged approach will include [1] expanding focused deterrence by the Omaha Police Department Project Safe Neighborhood program at community events, [2] expanding the Engaging Networks within the Community of Omaha to Maintain and Promote a Safe Society (ENCOMPASS) program operated by Nebraska Medicine (University of Nebraska Medical Center, a level-1 trauma hospital), and [3] providing training to local community organizations who engage in community violence intervention efforts to ensure evidence informed approaches including cultural competence, and trauma sensitivity are applied in violence prevention and intervention efforts.