Thread by @AGKarlRacine

Today I'm joining @MayorBowser and AltaGas to announce a $6 million investment in strategies to reduce gun violence and keep #DC residents safe.

As a result of the AltaGas merger negotiated by OAG on behalf of DC, $2 million will fund OAG’s #CuretheStreets through July 2020.

@MayorBowser #CureTheStreets is a violence interruption program based on the @CureViolence model, which has seen 20%-60% reductions in shootings and killings in more than 100 cities nationwide and globally.

#CuretheStreets uses a proven, public-health approach that treats violence like a disease, focusing on:

1) interrupting violence
2) identifying and treating those at highest risk for committing violent crime; and
3) changing community ideas around the normalization of violence.

The #CuretheStreets work is carried out using local, credible individuals with deep ties to the neighborhood called “violence interrupters” who de-escalate situations and avert potentially fatal incidents: bit.ly/2yFmDkB

In less than 6 months, #CuretheStreets is seeing some positive early results.

Since the program began, there have been ZERO homicides in our pilot sites and fewer nonfatal shootings in comparison to surrounding areas.

While these early returns show progress, the funding announced today is important to continue implementing #CuretheStreets with fidelity and accountability.

I look forward to continue working with @MayorBowser, @councilofdc, and other city leaders to keep our residents safe.