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Pittsburgh City Council

Homewood's Operation Better Block in line for $300,000 anti-violence contract renewal.

Written by Amy Whipple

Homewood-based Operation Better Block's violence intervention program may be extended for three years.

Director of Public Safety Sheldon Williams asked for city council's approval to continue working with the organization which provides group violence intervention technology services. The agreement will cost $300,000 over three years. 

Group violence intervention (GVI) is designed to reduce gun violence by focusing on the people at highest risk for violent victimization and offending. The strategy calls for law enforcement, community partners, and social service providers to work together to prevent, or intervene in, [a][b][c][d]violence. The cooperative approach is designed to improve public safety, minimize arrests and incarceration, foster police-community collaboration, and change the narrative in neighborhoods that may have felt both over-policed and under-protected.

From a technology standpoint, the scope of work in the city's request for proposals included providing a record of activity between clients and outreach workers or case managers, tracking violent incidents and potential "hot spots" that may require violence interruption, and services in local schools.

Operation Better Block's NewEra412 contains information on over 350 organizations, programs and community events to help connect people to services such as childcare, employment and food assistance.

Council is scheduled to address the legislation at its March 11 committee meeting.

Connections to this story

Topics:
Public Safety & EMS
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Sources:
Resolution 2026-0193 — authorizing the Mayor and the Director of Public Safety to enter on behalf of the City of Pittsburgh into a…

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