On Feb. 23, 2021, City Council approved Mayor Kincannon’s request for an additional $1 million to fund violence interruption programs, in response to a sharp rise in recent shooting deaths.
Here is how Mayor Kincannon described the City’s collaborative efforts with law enforcement and community partners in a News Sentinel guest column that was published three days after the Council vote:
Violent crime has shattered and scarred too many Knoxville families. Between January 1 and February 24, Knoxville has seen 13 fatal shootings – part of an alarming national uptick in gun crime affecting communities across the country.
Families are grieving. Neighborhoods are hurting. As a mother, as a Knoxville resident and as your Mayor, I am aching along with you.
No student should feel unsafe walking to school. No parent should have to bury a child because of senseless violence.
This doesn’t have to be our reality. Collectively, we can and we must stand together and say: no more!
Breaking the cycles of violent crime takes commitment on many fronts – and I want to thank those already committed to this work:
• Our police officers and investigators, who are dedicated to keeping our streets safe and bringing violent criminals to justice.
• Knoxville’s many youth-serving organizations, which enrich the lives of our young people and help them thrive.
• The families and caretakers who talk to their kids about gangs and gun violence and the value of life.
• And, the peacemakers: the many individuals who work daily – and often quietly – sharing their time and wisdom to step in, to mediate conflict, talk down retaliation, and steer young people toward a better path forward.
This work is not unnoticed, but there is still more to be done.
One thing that is certain: when we all work together, with intentionality, we are stronger than standing alone.
Across the nation, study after study reinforces the importance of community-based and criminal justice systems working together with trust. Stopping violent crime requires attention both to root causes like poverty and insufficient social support and to the specialized and focused work of interrupting acts of violence and bringing violent criminals to justice.
When I took office, we recommitted to this mission with the restructuring of our Community Empowerment Department and the Empower Knox initiative. Since last year, members of this team have been working alongside KPD to identify evidence-based violence interruption and prevention strategies that need support in Knoxville.
City Council approved my proposal to jumpstart this work right now, rather than waiting until the new budget year. The need is urgent and we must act now.
This is very targeted work, and it is important work. In the coming weeks and months, we will be working with local partners and technical assistance providers to develop the specific programs that can be effective in Knoxville.
This is just one step of many the Knoxville community must take to have long lasting impacts.
Despite the tragic events of the last few weeks, I have seen our City pull together for the collective good. Together, we are creating a promising and safer future for all of our families.
Mayor Indya Kincannon