Violence Interruption is a key component to our holistic approach to public safety. All too often, one act of violence begets another. Violence interruption empowers trusted community members to interrupt these cycles of violence via mediation and de-escalation. Under my leadership, we helped launch Turn Up Knox, and are giving them the resources to pay and train staff to do this important street outreach work.
In addition, I am pleased to announce that Knoxville has just entered into a violence reduction contract with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform. This non-profit institute will work with KPD and community-based organizations to reduce gun violence by identifying high-risk individuals and social networks, communicating directly with them, providing special support and services, and utilizing targeted law enforcement strategies as a last resort.
Co-Responder teams are another critical feature of our comprehensive public safety strategy. Knoxville’s Co-Response program (a partnership with the McNabb Center) pairs a mental health specialist alongside a specially-trained KPD officer in order to respond to mental health emergency calls. The counselor de-escalates the situation, with the goal of diverting people away from jail and connecting them to mental health resources instead. The initial co-response team was so effective, we added three more.
Public safety is not just the job of police officers. It is the community that truly establishes social norms and expectations, that can be eyes on the street, and intervene when something is awry, before it escalates to violence. Recognizing the need for a new, cabinet-level focus on how we approach public safety, I created The Office of Community Safety & Empowerment, led by LaKenya Middlebrook. This first of its kind department leads violence interruption strategies, coordinates safety innovation and collaboration among City Departments, and enhances partnerships with on-the-ground organizations who are working to make Knoxville safer.
While most Knoxville residents, thankfully, do not experience violence first hand, many do suffer medical emergencies, car crashes, and fires. I am proud that our dedicated, professional firefighters, paramedics & rescue teams of the Knoxville Fire Department answer those calls 24/7. I have supported fair compensation for our firefighters and will continue to make sure they have top notch equipment and training in my second term.
Keeping Knoxville safe is an incredibly complex undertaking and my most urgent responsibility as Mayor. I’ve just touched on a few of the strategies that comprise my vision for comprehensive public safety - there will be more to come as we continue this critical and dynamic conversation.
