Newark's Violence Prevention strategy has driven homicides to their lowest levels in 60 years, and Deputy Mayor Lakeesha Eure is the architect behind the 70% drop.

In this episode, we break down the radical "$11 Million Shift" where Newark reallocated 5% of its police budget to trauma recovery, credible messengers, and a unique "Sunday Brunch" mediation strategy with gang leadership.

Whether you are a city leader or a community advocate, this is the definitive blueprint for holding power without losing the trust of the streets.

Key Moments

• [09:01] The $11M Decision: Reallocating 5% of the police budget.

  [17:39] Sunday Brunch with Bloods and Crips: Mediating active "beefs" .

• [28:46] The Academy Shift: Why social workers graduate alongside police officers .

• [38:08] The 7 Lanes of Work: Organizing trauma recovery and high-risk intervention.

• [51:22] "Show and Prove": Using data to outmaneuver bureaucratic skepticism.

TAKE ACTION: THE NEWARK BLUEPRINT

1. Replicate the Model: Don't reinvent the wheel. Access the exact frameworks used by the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery (OVPTR) and the Brick City Peace Collective to see how Newark coordinates its "7 Lanes of Work."

• Explore the Newark Peace Collective Hub

• Access Trauma Recovery Resources

2. Support the Frontline: The Newark Community Street Team (NCST) and the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition (NAVC) are the "Credible Messengers" you heard about in this episode. Support the boots on the ground:

• Partner with Newark Community Street Team

• Join the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition Movement

3. Join the National Movement:Newark isn't an island. Connect with the national infrastructure that Lakeesha Eure credits for scaling this work:

• The HAVI: Hospital-Based Intervention

• Cities United: Supporting Mayors & Leaders

• CVI Leadership Academy: Professionalizing the Field