Latest news with #CommunityViolenceIntervention
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Here's who is running for Detroit mayor in the 2025 election
Detroit mayoral candidates are gearing up to win a spot in the August primary election to secure the seat as the city's next top leader. Mayor Mike Duggan will leave the role after 12 years to run for Michigan governor as an independent candidate, leaving Detroit's top seat open in a crowded field of candidates without an incumbent. Others can still file to run as a write-in candidate by July 25 for the Aug. 5 primary. Here are the nine candidates vying for votes in the primary election. The Detroit City Council president got a head start on the field by forming her candidate committee in August 2023, giving her an early lead on fundraising. Sheffield, who attended Southfield-Lathrup High School, has been a council member since 2013, when she was elected the youngest member, and later selected as council president in her current term. She has a mixed record of supporting large developments, including voting in favor of a $60 million tax abatement for Bedrock's Hudson's site development, and voting against providing more than $800 million in tax credits to Olympia Development's District Detroit project. Sheffield has promised to focus on several key areas if elected, including property tax reform; investing in walkable neighborhoods and safe communities, which includes the police department and Community Violence Intervention programs; as well as addressing affordable housing and economic development. Jenkins formerly served as Detroit City Council president and resigned early to pursue the chief executive role with The Heat and Warmth Fund nonprofit that helps those facing utility shutoffs. The Cass Technical High School alum said she aims to tackle the role by rooting herself in the community and leaning on her executive experience. As she often says: the mayor is "CEO of the city." Her "Saunteel Six" mayoral policies include: creating a master plan for each district to address their needs; investing in after-school and community center programs in art, sports and technology; prioritizing safe neighborhoods by cracking down on violence, bullying and adding community policing; creating career programs and pathways for young Detroiters; and supporting greater access to child care, affordable housing for renters and owners, and providing seniors with support. The Detroit City Councilman and former state representative has long-supported many of Duggan's initiatives for new developments in Detroit, as well as fighting the "Us vs. Them" politics, a narrative in which people claim the city's focus is on downtown versus the neighborhoods. He went to Detroit Public Schools, including the Detroit School of Arts. Durhal says his priorities include: investing in commercial corridors and walkable communities; expanding the Downtown Development Authority's boundaries, potentially on main corridors such as Gratiot, Woodward and Michigan Avenues; enhancing public safety; partnerships with the Detroit Public Schools Community District to provide programming and infrastructure for the youth; pushing the Detroit Promise program, which provides a tuition-free pathway for Detroit college and university students; and re-engage discussions about boosting regional transit. The Triumph Church pastor and Northwestern High School alum said he expects to run his church simultaneously with his role as mayor, if elected, saying he will serve as a full-time mayor and leave much of the daily responsibilities of the church to his executive team. Kinloch said his priorities include: building 10,000 affordable housing units through down payment assistance programs; reducing poverty and crime, including building more grocery stores to eliminate food deserts; expanding Detroit's revival into the neighborhoods, which he's called a "tale of two cities," claiming the benefits amid the city's resurgence have not reached everyone; maintaining basic services such as trash pick-up and emergency response times; and investing in workforce training. Nicknamed "Hollywood Craig" for his television appearances on the department's relationship with the community, James Craig held multiple stints as deputy mayor, and police chief in Portland, Maine, Cincinnati and Los Angeles before running the Detroit Police Department from 2014 to 2021. He graduated from Cass Technical High School and ran for governor in 2022 as a Republican, though he was knocked off the ballot after failing to get enough valid signatures. He also began a U.S. Senate run in 2024, but he suspended his campaign to eye a run for Detroit mayor. Craig flexes his relationship with the White House and President Donald Trump as an asset to help draw federal money to the city. Naturally, boosting public safety is among Craig's top stated priorities, but others include: investing in schools and neighborhoods, boosting economic opportunities and building out small businesses. Although multiple candidates promise to invest in neighborhoods, Detroit attorney Todd Perkins has declared himself the "neighborhood mayor" at his campaign launch. Perkins graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and spent his career pursuing civil and criminal litigation, along with helping lead the 2021 ballot initiative to create a Detroit Reparations Task Force. As mayor, Perkins said he expects to improve public safety, mass transit, create more housing, and grow employment in an effort to boost economic activity and spur population growth. He also said he plans to salvage structures instead of demolishing them, and provide jobs to Detroiters to renovate homes, along with conducting a forensic audit of city hall operations to ensure more transparency and accountability. The former businessman said he has a long list of priorities he aims to tackle if elected mayor. Haashiim, who went to Cooley High School and once ran a party store, said he aims to bring in high-paying jobs, reduce crime and establish a program for citizens returning from incarceration. He also said he expects to drive up Detroit's population, which Duggan's administration battled in recent years with the U.S. Census Bureau; eradicate homelessness; rethink massive tax abatements for large developers; and address affordable housing. The Renaissance High School graduate dubs himself an entrepreneur, and served as a basketball coach at Renaissance High School and University Prep Academy High School, as well as a youth pastor at Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, according to his campaign website. Barlow said he aims to boost businesses by providing small businesses tax incentives, and establishing a growth business fund to provide them with low-interest loans and grants. Barlow also said he expects to launch workforce development programs for advanced manufacturing, electric vehicle and technology industries; subsidized transit for workers; expand affordable and mixed-income housing; launch a zero or low-interest loan program for residents and provide financial literacy on homeownership; and prevent homelessness. The three-time mayoral candidate grew up on the city's east side and ran her campaign on improving Detroit's water infrastructure in an effort to prevent flooding from heavy rainfall and ensuring lower water bills, along with reducing crime and gun violence and developing neighborhoods. Simpson is from a family of prominent leaders, whose uncle is Elijah Muhammad, the former leader of the Nation of Islam. She said she expects to hold the same priorities she held in the 2021 race, along with having more input in Detroit's school system to help boost reading levels, Simpson has told WXYZ. Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@ Follow her: @DanaAfana. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit mayoral candidates: Who's running in 2025 election
CBS News
12-06-2025
- CBS News
Violence interventionists call for "sustainable funding" at Michigan Advocacy Day
Organizers estimate upwards of 1,000 people came out for the third annual Community Violence Intervention Advocacy Day at the Michigan State Capitol. The goal was to lobby for more sustainable funding and call attention to the work community violence intervention groups do to prevent loss of life. Community violence intervention takes many forms, and that work looks different depending on who you ask. But on Thursday in Lansing, groups from across the state came together for a common goal. "We want to see our communities freer, we want to see our communities safer," Dujuan Zoe Kennedy, executive director of FORCE Detroit, said. Zoe Kennedy said their goal is to advocate for more funding. "Sustainable funding, not funding for a year, two years," Zoe Kennedy said. "We demand that we get sustainable funding like any other front-line worker in the public safety field." William Nickolson with Beat Da Odds said violence intervention work can vary. "We're in neighborhoods, we're in schools on a day-to-day basis, we're at rec centers, we're at the juvenile detention facilities, we're doing mentoring, we're doing re-entry type work. We're just trying to fill in the gaps wherever we can to be a resource to the youth," he said. The advocates broke into smaller groups to visit with lawmakers in their offices. "We're going into the office very calm and collected and offering them this package to consider — the crowd today — to consider what's most important: that we want babies to live, families to live, communities safe," Pastor Maurice L. Hardwick said. "We want them to partner with us. Don't fight us, unite with us." For Sherri Scott, who lost her daughter to gun violence back in 2019 because of a shooting at a park, community violence intervention is about changing a mindset. "Leave your guns at home. Do not just pull out a gun because you're upset with someone. You've got to be able to rectify the situation, and that's what a bunch of the CVI groups out here are doing, because they step in and they stop the beef or whatever they got going on before it escalates," she said.
CBS News
04-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Detroit crime reduction groups losing federal grant money
As community organizations across the country are seeing significant cuts to their federal funding, one Detroit group is bracing for impact and the potential loss of resources. In April, the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Justice Programs cut about $500 million in funds nationwide, with Michigan agencies statewide losing nearly $6.8 million. "That's a significant cut for us. We use those fundings for our staff, the individuals who go out into the community and put their lives on the line on a daily basis," said Ciera Renee, Director of Programs for FORCE Detroit. One nonprofit affected, FORCE Detroit, is a local organization that supports at-risk youth and offers workforce development and other forms of support to people and communities impacted by violence. "A big hit that we've taken is just in the uncertainty that our staff have now, as far as, like, what does that mean for them tomorrow? Is their job going to be available for them tomorrow?" said Renee. It's work that relies on resources, like securing food, shelter and mental health support, which leads to significant strides in crime reduction. In response to the move, FORCE Detroit will head to Lansing on June 12 as part of Community Violence Intervention Day to lobby state lawmakers for support. "We've got some data that shows that we have actually reduced crime; we've saved the city $33.1 million just by reducing those crimes," said Renee. Maurice Hardwick knows the power of that work firsthand. Known as "Pastor Mo," he says FORCE Detroit and other groups like it play a key role in not only stopping what he calls the "birth" of violence in a neighborhood but also leaving the tools to keep it from growing. "You have to have people to go in the community that come from it, that understand it, that's not scared, number one, and have the respect to get in there to deal with that. If you remove that, you're saying, 'Go ahead and have a free-for-all,'" said Hardwick, creator of the Live in Peace Movement. Organizers say these funding cuts could lead to lasting and potentially irreparable damage to the community. "Lives are at risk. When funding goes away for community violence intervention, people could die," said Renee.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Federal funding cuts force Englewood nonprofit to lay off outreach workers
The Brief Federal funding cuts led to the cancellation of a grant for Think Outside Da Block, an Englewood nonprofit focused on violence prevention and community outreach. The organization laid off more than half its outreach team, raising concerns about increased summer violence without their presence. Community members can support by volunteering, donating, or attending events — including a karaoke fundraiser this Friday at 6 p.m. near Ashland and Marquette. CHICAGO - A nonprofit in Englewood dedicated to building peaceful communities is feeling the effects of federal budget cuts. What we know As federal program cuts continue to take a toll on organizations nationwide, one Englewood nonprofit—dedicated to building peaceful communities—is being forced to make tough changes. The organization's loss of critical government support reflects a broader shift in priorities at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Think Outside Da Block is a nonprofit based on the city's South Side that focuses on youth development, violence interruption, and outreach. It is a member organization in a coalition of nonprofits notified last month that one of its grants was being terminated by the DOJ. Recently, founder Pha'Tal Perkins had no choice but to make difficult decisions that could dismantle years of community progress. He's had to lay off five of eight outreach staffers due to reduced federal support. "It's devastating to our community as some of these individuals are extremely influential and respected in our community and have been able to mediate conflicts and deter violence on the front end," Perkins said. Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI), which secured the grant funding, received the notification letter from the Department of Justice on April 22, 2025. In total, $3.7 million has been revoked from three nonprofits in its coalition — including Think Outside Da Block. MPI Executive Director Vaughn Bryant is fighting the decision and has already submitted a formal appeal. Bryant issued the following statement to FOX 32 Chicago on Wednesday: "Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, a division of Metropolitan Family Services, serves those at highest risk of becoming shooting victims or perpetrators of violence themselves. Any life lost to gun violence is one too many. When the DOJ cut $3.7 million of funding to three nonprofits in our coalition, that had an immediate effect on communities like Englewood, West Englewood, and Woodlawn. With a 50 percent reduction in homicides and a 38 percent reduction in shooting victimizations from 2021 to 2025, we know that Community Violence Intervention (CVI) works. We, along with our partners at CPD, are saving lives. Having buy-in and collaboration on the federal level is vital to supporting CVI programming across Chicago. We've appealed the DOJ decision and are hopeful we can come to a swift resolution." Think Outside Da Block was founded in 2016 by Pha'Tal Perkins, who was born, raised, and still lives in Englewood. "Just after taking a wrong path, realizing I wanted better for myself, I wanted better for my community," Perkins said of his inspiration for the organization. With or without that funding, Perkins said his work will continue—showing community members that there is a future beyond their own block. "We all want to go through this summer peacefully, it's going to take all of us to work together," Perkins said. What you can do You can help by volunteering, donating, or attending one of the organization's events. This Friday, May 30, Think Outside Da Block is hosting a karaoke event at 6 p.m. near Ashland Avenue and Marquette Road. On Wednesday, June 4 from 5 to 7 p.m., the organization is teaming up with Chicago's SAFE Ambassadors to hold bike-riding lesson in advance of its upcoming 'Roll N Peace' community bike ride. The Roll N Peace ride, which is held annually, will take place on Friday, June 13 starting at 4 p.m. in Ogden Park (6500 South Racine Avenue). The 'roll off' is planned for 8 p.m. and interested participants can text "ROLLNPEACE" to 708-438-7300 to learn more.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Detroit City Council adopts 2026 fiscal year budget minutes before midnight
About 10 minutes before midnight Tuesday, the Detroit City Council approved the city's annual budget after several delays. Council members approved the fiscal 2025-26 $3 billion budget — of which $1.5 billion makes up the General Fund — boosting several departments and initiatives, including nearly $20 million for the Detroit Department of Transportation to hire drivers, boosting funding for the Charles H. Wright Museum, eviction protection, community violence intervention, disability affairs and housing-related investments. Overall, the city's General Fund budget grew by $102 million from last year's budget. Mayor Mike Duggan proposed the budget in February, which holds nearly $500 million in reserves, comprised of $150 million for the city's Rainy Day Fund and $350 million in the Retiree Protection Fund set aside for pensions. Council members underwent dozens of deliberations for a month to decide where funding shifts may be necessary. Members cut a $5 million subsidy out of the Detroit Land Bank Authority, dropping from $10 million last year. Officials justified cuts due to the Land Bank holding an unassigned $31 million fund balance, further explaining the entity can maintain its properties and services without the city's additional funding. The council also cut $5 million in one-time funding for the Construction and Demolition department for blight activity. The city also has $14.5 million in leftover American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, which needs to be spent by the end of 2026. Council members dedicated $5 million of it to address homelessness, which includes emergency shelters, street outreach, focused case management and the Homelessness Response System. The remaining $9.4 million will be split among the nine council members to spend on ARPA programs of their choice. Other budget adjustments include: $2 million for bus shelters. $2 million for the Charles H. Wright Museum; along with $975,000 in one-time capital funding for the Detroit Historical Museum. $500,000 for eviction defense outreach. $3 million for Community Violence Intervention initiatives. $534,788 to fund six investigators to address backlog and new cases. $400,000 for the Office of Disability Affairs. $1 million to the Housing Trust Fund to develop and preserve affordable housing. $2 million for home repair programs. $308,593 to increase the Board of Ethics' budget. $500,000 for the GOAL Line Detroit Program to increase quality education access. $300,000 to clean 1,000 alleys across the city $326,244 to add a manager of investigations and audit position in the Office of the Inspector General. $220,000 for three inspectors within the Buildings, Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department. $146,000 to restore two positions within the Food Code Enforcement Program in the health department. Councilman Fred Durhal III, who chairs the Budget, Finance and Audit Standing Committee, said this budget adoption led to 'unique challenges' due to resuming pension payments and spending federal ARPA money. 'Despite these tightened financial constraints, City Council worked collaboratively to ensure our highest priorities — like housing, public safety, transportation, infrastructure, and neighborhood investments — remained funded. Through discipline, transparency and cooperation, we've responsibly aligned our resources with the needs of Detroiters, reinforcing our city's commitment to long-term fiscal stability. I'm confident that by continuing to work together, we will keep Detroit on a path to lasting growth and ensure a brighter future for all residents,' Durhal said in a statement. Durhal and City Council President Mary Sheffield voted on their final city budget before leaving office at the end of the year, as they both campaign to be Detroit's next mayor in this year's election. Mayor Mike Duggan is leaving the seat to run for Michigan governor as an independent candidate. The two thanked their colleagues, the legislative policy division and others involved in the budget hearing process. Additionally, several council members wished them well on their future endeavors. 'I have been inspired by what we have been able to accomplish with respect to ensuring the city's budget reflects the priorities of our residents and the values upon which our great city was built,' Sheffield said in a statement. 'While we certainly haven't been able to meet every need or address every priority, our closing resolution is illustrative of our commitment and intent to continue to listen to our constituents and work towards creating opportunities, delivering services and addressing the needs of all residents.' Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@ Follow her: @DanaAfana. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit City Council adopts $3B budget for 2026 fiscal year
