Jacksonville’s newest crime-fighting tool will roll out in early June.
The City Council recently allocated $764,823 to fund the first year of the Cure Violence program.
In a video released Sunday, Mayor Lenny Curry explained the rationale behind Cure Violence and outlined the timetable for its launch.
Related: City Council Funds 'Cure Violence' Program To Start In 2 High-Crime Zones
“It’s guided by the understanding that violence is a health issue, that the epidemic of violence is preventable. Right now we are currently hiring and training very carefully selected members of the community — trusted insiders who will be able to anticipate where violence may occur so they can intervene before it happens,” said Curry.
Officials with the Cure Violence program have recommended targeting Zones 1 and 5 on Jacksonville’s Northwest and East sides.
Those areas are home to six of the most violent zip codes in Duval County.
The initiative has been used in cities like New York, Chicago and Baltimore.
Its official kickoff is set for Saturday morning, June 8, on the Northside.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.
Photo used under Creative Commons license.
