Birmingham could get help fighting gun violence from the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – In response to recent violence, Mayor Randall Woodfin and other city leaders are developing several options to curb homicides, including the creation of an advisory commission led by former Police Chief A.C. Roper.

The city is also exploring other initiatives to address the root cause of the violence.

As Birmingham’s ongoing battle against gun violence, city leaders hope evidence-based violence intervention programs will make a difference.

Mayor Woodfin and his team recently laid out a handful of them Community safety suggestions.

“We’re looking at a multi-pronged approach to reducing gun violence and addressing the root causes of gun violence and the underlying cause of the violence,” said Uche Bean, the director of Community Safety Initiatives in Birmingham.

One of the initiatives is the partnership with the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform Develop strategies that target those most likely to be involved in community violence. NICJR works in two areas, firstly to stop shootings in the short term.

“We come in and work with police and others who have incredible knowledge of what’s happening in the city and take a deep dive into data analysis and qualitative data analysis to figure out what’s driving gun violence in the city of Birmingham “said David Muhammad, Executive Director of NICJR.

If approved, the NICJR will have a team in Birmingham trying to address the violence and, in some cases, offering life coaches who provide daily care to people who may or may not be in the justice system.

“Develop a positive and trusting relationship with them. Help make better decisions about how to respond to conflict and connect you to needed services, employment, housing, mental health and drug treatment. Whatever you need,” Muhammad said.

Muhammad tells us that NICJR is thriving in several cities across the country where it currently works.

Birmingham City Council must agree to the latest proposals, which could happen in the next few weeks. It’s important to note that the city already spends $7 million a year to combat the problem of gun violence.

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