The Office of Community Safety was created in August 2021 with Mayor Indya Kincannon appointing LaKenya Middlebrook as the City’s first-ever Director of Community Safety.
Middlebrook and her office leads violence interruption strategies, coordinates safety innovation and collaboration among City Departments, and enhances partnerships with on-the-ground
people and organizations who are working to make Knoxville safer.
Middlebrook has standing bi-weekly meetings with Mayor Kincannon and Chief Paul Noel, regularly scheduled meetings with the full cabinet, works closely with the City’s Community Empowerment Department and coordinates resources with others on the front lines working to keep our neighborhoods safe.
COMMUNITY SAFETY & EMPOWERMENT GRANTS
The City of Knoxville Office of Community Safety and Empowerment seeks to provide grant funding to non-profit and community-based organizations capable of implementing efforts in Knoxville, TN through five different grant opportunities. Grant Proposals should focus on the mission and objectives of the African American Equity Restoration Task Force, Empower Knox, or the Office of Community Safety.
View Grant Funding Information
CITY GRANT IMPACT REPORTS
• 2024 Youth Violence Prevention Week Report [PDF]
• 2023 Summer Break Opportunity Youth Grants Impact Report [PDF]
• 2023 Spring Break Opportunity Youth Grants Impact Report [PDF]
• 2022 Spring Break & Summer Opportunity Youth Grants Impact Report [PDF]
• 2022 Youth Violence Prevention Week Grant Impact Report [PDF]