Councilmember Osman’s Statement on Violence Interrupter Services in Cedar Riverside and Elliot Park

MINNEAPOLIS – I am proud to share that the motion I brought forward to maintain Violence Interrupter services in the Cedar Riverside and Elliot Park neighborhoods passed in the City Council meeting. Violence Interrupters have consistently shown their value by de-escalating conflicts and building trust within our neighborhoods. Their efforts highlight the power of community-led approaches in preventing violence and creating safer environments for everyone.

The motion I brought forward included to first decreasing the budget for the Community Safety Center Pilots by $650,000 from the restricted Public Safety Aid balance in the General Fund. This will then allow us to increase the budget by allocating those funds for the Neighborhood Safety Department who carry out MinneapolUS Strategic Initiatives, to ensure violence interruption services continue in Cedar Riverside and Elliot Park. This funding will ensure that the essential work of Violence Interrupters can continue without interruption. The Neighborhood Safety Department will oversee the allocation of these funds, reinforcing our city’s commitment to reducing violence and supporting community-based solutions.

I also want to extend a special thank you to all 11 councilmembers who attended and voted in favor of this motion. I’m especially grateful to Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai and Councilmember Robin Wonsley for their assistance in writing this budget amendment. Additionally, I want to acknowledge Deputy Director Lea Lakes from the Neighborhood Safety Department for her continued support and dedication.

Thank you once again to my colleagues and our community for standing together in support of this important initiative.

-Jamal Osman

###