{
  "id": 5643945,
  "title": "Minneapolis mayor wants to cut funding for violence interrupters. But at what cost?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/minneapolis-mayor-wants-to-cut-funding-for-violence-interrupters-but-5643945",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T20:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-mayor-funding-violence-interrupters-054381294955268d8265fc2130327a69"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is set to reduce funding for violence interrupters as part of his proposed 2027 budget. This decision, which Frey acknowledges as a \"tough choice,\" comes after a review of programs the city deems essential and those that may not deliver adequate results. While praising the \"noble\" program of violence interrupters, Frey contends that it \"has not demonstrated the level of results taxpayers deserve.\"\n\nMuhammad Abdul-Ahad, executive director of T.O.U.C.H Outreach, an organization among three funded to train and employ these interrupters, expressed concern over the potential loss of this vital program. Abdul-Ahad argues that the cuts signal a lack of support for public safety in the face of gun violence. \"If you're going to take one of the pivotal public safety programs or responses out of the city of Minneapolis... What does that say about you supporting the public's safety when it comes to community violence, gun violence?\"\n\nDespite acknowledging Frey's point about accountability and compliance issues, including a lawsuit alleging improper spending, Abdul-Ahad remains firm in his support for the program. He believes that commitment alone does not suffice; the results must matter and be measurable. The challenge for Minneapolis' violence interrupters lies in proving their impact, as they operate under the Cure Violence Global model – treating violence as a public health issue and working to prevent it by being a constant presence in high-risk neighborhoods.",
  "summary": "When Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey presented his proposed budget for 2027, he returned again and again to a familiar theme: tough times call for tough…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Minneapolis mayor wants to cut funding for violence interrupters. But at what cost?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/minneapolis-mayor-wants-to-cut-funding-for-violence-interrupters-but",
        "published": "2026-09-04T20:26:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}