By Police1 Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After a deadly shooting related to gang-supported rappers, Sacramento has voted to move forward on a controversial gun-violence prevention program targeting those who are suspected of committing most of the violence in the city.
The city council unanimously approved a three-year, $1.5 million contract for Advance Peace on Aug. 29, the Sacramento Bee reported.
The controversial program would target nearly 50 young men, who police and city officials believe are responsible for the gun violence in the city, .
In the program, mentors help recruit “fellows” to the 18-month program. They use one-on-one behavioral therapy, life coaching and a monthly stipend of up to $1000 for nine months to help move the fellows away from violence.
The program is credited with significantly reducing gun crime in Richmond, where the program began, but has been criticized for giving stipends to those who reach goals. But Sacramento police and city officials told the publication there’s no better time to implement the program. Police are currently investigating five homicides this year that may be gang related. Thirteen people total have died in 2017 from gunshot wounds in the city.
“We don’t have a moment to wait here,” Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said. “It’s another shooting on Sunday in Meadowview involving this feud over who gets credit for writing music. On the one hand it’s baffling, but on the other hand it’s real.”
Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said the proposal was lacking in details and “in my opinion leaves the city of Sacramento completely vulnerable to being taken advantage of.” She said there is nothing that requires Advance Peace to work directly with police departments, school districts or local activists. It does not explicitly state if outreach will happen in three neighborhoods that are heavily impacted by violent crime.
Another concern is that the contract doesn’t require the program to match the city’s financial investment with its own money. The mayor and others said Advance Peace will match the city’s money.
Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn said he supports the program as a “tool” in fighting gun crimes, but current enforcement and community intervention programs are needed as well. He believes monitoring the program and obtaining proof of results would be essential to seeing how successful it is.
A two-thirds approval will be required by Council members because the vote involves a contract and has not had the required 10-day notice.