The Work
ONSE was created to address gun violence reduction in the District while assisting the community with the trauma caused by incidents. By delivering on our mission, we foster community-based strategies that help prevent gun violence which increases public safety.
The strategy to reduce gun violence recognizes reducing crime is not accomplished through law enforcement alone. ONSE oversees several programs focused on outcomes (changes in the community) and process (how we do our work) including violence interruption in priority communities, Pathways, family and survivor support, community- based crime reduction, and People of Promise.
Research[1] suggests it can take three years of relentless community work to reap the benefits of prevention and intervention – our team is committed to doing the work.
ONSE focuses its attention in the following original 25 priority communities shown in pink in the graph and listed below. There are two communities (Shaw/Mt. Vernon and Congress Park West) that are in a pilot for preventative programming.
- Buena Vista Terrace
- Greenleaf
- Langdon Park
- LeDroit Park
- Richardson Dwellings
- Shipley
- Lincoln Heights
- Mayfair/Paradise
- Cedar Gardens
- Edgewood
- Rosedale
- Hartford
- Savannah Terrace
- Syphax Gardens
- Woodland/Langston Lane
- Brentwood
- Kenilworth
- Brightwood Park
- Congress Park West
- Fort Dupont / Stoddert /37th
- Petworth
- Congress Park East
- Carver Langston
- Park View
- Columbia Heights
- Historic Anacostia
- Shaw/Mt. Vernon
Short Term Goals:
- Reducing shootings in ONSE’s priority communities;
- Building trust with individuals in priority communities at risk of being victims or perpetrators of gun violence;
- Working with clients to address their most urgent needs and personal goals using an Individual Success Plan, with outcomes in nine domains— Vital Records, Education/Employment, Housing, Mental Wellness, Physical Health, Family, Financial, Legal/Court, and Community/Creativity.
- Hosting peacemaking conversations and negotiating ceasefires and mediations to address long-standing neighborhood or group conflicts that threaten the safety and stability of high-risk individuals and the communities they reside in; and
- Responding to critical incidents to ensure information gathering for situational awareness, timely rumor control, and necessary de-escalation after a violent incident.
Long-Term Goals: If programs are successful, there will be:
- Sustaining reduction in violent gun crimes, shootings, and homicides in ONSE priority communities.
- Reducing recidivism and victimization of the at-risk populations we work with.
Measuring Impact
While there is much work to be done, data suggests current violence intervention efforts are working.
This data can be seen by visiting Data | Office Of Gun Violence Prevention (dc.gov), which monitors gun violence incidents in ONSE priority communities. Although rates of violence have increased in some ONSE priority communities, the increases have been smaller compared to increases observed citywide.
The tables and charts below show the calendar year change from 2023 to 2022 in violent crime and gun crime in ONSE priority communities.
In 2023, violent crime in ONSE priority communities increased by 17% compared to 2022 and gun-violent crime increased by 30%.
- Homicides increased by 25%. Gun homicides increased by 26%.
- Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (ADW) decreased by 9%. ADW (gun) decreased by 4%.
- Robberies increased 41%. Robberies with a gun increased 73%.
The tables below show violent crime and gun crime in ONSE priority communities compared with citywide data.
ONSE priority communities outperformed citywide numbers in slowing the increase of both violent and gun-violent crimes.
- Violent crimes increased by 17% in ONSE priority communities while it increased by 39% citywide.
- Violent crimes with a gun increased by 30% in ONSE priority communities while it increased by 55% citywide.
- ADW decreased in ONSE priority communities while they increased citywide.
These incidents are tracked by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and are available on their data dashboard, Crime Cards, which updates daily.
Violent Crime Impact by Priority Community
The data across the Violence Intervention Program shows promise; however, to best examine our impact, we must also examine the data at the community level. In 2023, out of 27 priority communities:
- 11 experienced a reduction or no change in violent crime compared to 2022.
- 11 experienced a reduction or no change in gun violent crimes compared to 2022.
- 19 experienced a reduction or no change in homicides compared to 2022.
In addition to serving the larger community, violence interrupters are responsible for working with individuals at imminent risk of involvement in, or victimization from, violence. We call these individuals “high-risk residents.”
Building Trust
In 2023, Violence Interrupters provided intensive interventions to 215 high-risk residents in ONSE priority communities.
Tracking High-Risk Resident Outcomes
The ONSE Violence Interruption Program (VIP) helps high-risk residents move closer to addressing their most urgent needs and personal goals. In FY 2023, through contracted services, the VI Program hosted 176 community events and group activities, serving 965 families. Violence Interrupters responded to 195 critical incidents (a homicide, shooting, stabbing, or other incident (such as robbery or assault) that has a likelihood of leading to retaliatory violence).
Peacemaking
In 2023, ONSE intensified its focus on negotiating ceasefires and mediations, a central component of our violence intervention work. Close collaboration with community members who have influential relationships in impacted communities is critical to the success of these efforts. The graphic below outlines the tactics employed during peacemaking.
In FY 2023, ONSE successfully negotiated thirty (30) mediations and fourteen (14) ceasefires.
Learn about what ONSE programs:
[1] National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform, et.al. (Fall 2024). Community Violence Intervention Action Plan: Mapping Transformation for the Field.