Mayor Mamdani announces $4.8M expansion of community-based violence prevention
Each area will receive $1.6 million to support trusted community workers who mediate conflicts, prevent retaliation and connect residents with jobs, education, mental health care and other services.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Tuesday a $4.8 million expansion of New York City’s Crisis Management System to strengthen violence prevention in Bushwick, Harlem and Washington Heights/Inwood.
Each area will receive $1.6 million to support trusted community workers who mediate conflicts, prevent retaliation and connect residents with jobs, education, mental health care and other services.
“Public safety is strongest when it begins with prevention and when communities have the resources to resolve conflict, support young people and keep their neighbors safe,” Mamdani said.
The expansion builds existing programs in Bushwick and Harlem and introduces a new CMS street outreach team in Washington Heights/Inwood, which previously lacked that coverage.
In Bushwick, the funding will expand The Wick Against Violence, operated by Southside United HDFC, building its work at Woodhull Hospital and Bushwick Houses.
In Harlem, Living Redemption will expand its outreach and conflict mediation, connecting more young people and families with mentors, employment and education.
In Washington Heights/Inwood, United Way's Grow Up Grow Out Jr. will establish a team providing street outreach, conflict mediation, and ongoing support.
“I think the key to the violence interruption work is having people with lived experience work with people with lived experience,” said Juan Ramos, executive director of Southside United HDFC.
City officials said they selected the areas based on crime data, unmet service needs, and other indicators.
During the announcement, Mamdani also honored CMS partner Antoine Utsey, who was killed last month in Brownsville.
The expansion is part of the administration’s broader push to invest in community-based prevention. The money is already included in the city’s budget, but a firm start date has not been announced.
