New York – New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio who supported defunding the police a year ago seemingly believes he has the answer for the surge in gun violence. He plans to spend one million dollars on a violence prevention program that provides participants with intensive mentorship and financial incentives for not committing violence.
The “Advance Peace” program will launch in one precinct in each borough and pair young people deemed at risk for involvement in gun crime — with formerly incarcerated mentors. The model pays a stipend of $1,000 a month for staying in the program along with bonuses for meeting agreed-upon life goals like obtaining a driver’s license or GED according to The Trace.
The program is being coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.
Mayor Bill de Blasio first announced his intention to bring “Advance Peace” to New York during a March press, announcing that it would be the focus in an effort to combat a decade high in murders.
“I’m very, very hopeful this would be something that has a profound impact, and we can prove its impact here and expand it,” de Blasio said at the time.
