Minneapolis mayor wants to cut funding for violence interrupters. But at what cost?
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has proposed cutting funding for the city's violence interrupters program in the 2027 budget, despite its proponents touting early signs of success. The program, which operates under the Cure Violence Global model, aims to prevent violence by building relationships and connecting neighbors to resources.
Three nonprofits are funded by the city to train and employ violence interrupters, each with a designated catchment area. In the last year, these groups logged 217 "mediations," with a 53% decrease in shootings from 2021 to 2025. Mayor Frey praised the program's benefits but cited issues with accountability and compliance, including a lawsuit alleging improper spending, as reasons for cutting funding. He emphasized that commitment alone is not enough and that results must matter.
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