S.O.S.'s 'Violence Interrupter' Patrol Squad Featured in USA Today

Members of the Save Our Streets Crown Heights “Violence Interrupter” patrol squad, who canvass the neighborhood in order to discourage violence, were profiled in a photo essay for USA Today this week.

Violence Interrupters are paid mediators who patrol the streets of Crown Heights at night, identifying hot-spots for violence, intervening when violence may be imminent (such as retaliation) and reaching out to kids who may be susceptible to gang membership. The Violence Interrupters in the photo essay are shown handing out leaflets and information to community members.

“If I don’t see certain individuals that populate certain street corners, I know something is wrong and I check it out,” Violence Interrupter Kenneth Edwards told USA Today.

Save Our Streets is a project of the Crown Heights Community Mediation Center, and is a replication of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention’s CeaseFire program, which uses community outreach to diffuse violent situations.

S.O.S. also has planned the Arts to End Violence Festival, running now through May 24, and features art exhibits, live music and film. The event kicked off with a on Saturday.

Save Our Streets Week will be held from June 2–10, and the third annual March to End Gun Violence will be held on June 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Photos by Amnon Gutman.