Scores of American cities have implemented the National Network's strategies with powerful impact over nearly two decades. Substantial research and field experience has proven that these interventions are associated with large reductions in violence and other serious crime.
Project Longevity uses the National Network's GVI strategy, which has shown that violence can be reduced dramatically when community members and law enforcement join together to directly engage with street groups to clearly communicate a community message against violence, a law enforcement message about the consequences of further violence, and an offer of help for those who want it. To accomplish this, Project Longevity recruits law enforcement, social service providers, and community members are recruited to engage in a sustained relationship with violent groups.
A unique combination of community involvement, social services, and focused policing to positively influence group dynamics, Project Longevity stages call-ins with group members across the community to deliver an important message message against violence.
The National Network supports statewide implementations in certain jurisdictions. The states with which we work demonstrate a firm commitment model fidelity and to the National Network’s key principles.
Project Longevity is a Connecticut state initiative supported by the Office of the US Attorney. Under National Network advising in partnership with Yale University and the University of New Haven, Project Longevity combines community engagement, social services, and focused law enforcement to positively influence group dynamics and reduce violence. Project Longevity conducts call-ins in to deliver community and law enforcement antiviolence messages to group members along with an offer of help. New Haven, Bridgeport,and Hartford, the three Connecticut cities with the highest recent rates of violent crime, have all formed partnerships committed to using GVI in response to violence.
Under funding from the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Initiative, in partnership the Division of Criminal Justice Services, New York State is preparing to implement the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) in two sites, Albany and Newburgh, with strategic advising from the National Network. The National Network will provide training workshops, as well, to several other New York State sites with high levels of homicide and violent crime.
