Columbus invests in street-level anti-violence group

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus organization is expanding as the city invests in violence intervention work.  

The Columbus Urban League has a small team out in the community, mediating between gangs, helping de-escalate fights and much more. Now, the group is going to be able to bring more people into their work.  

A fatal shooting costs the city of Columbus more than $2 million, according to a study through the city’s Office of Violence Prevention. Back in the fall, NBC 4 reported on the study; it calculates the cost of the response to a fatal shooting, everything from EMTs to hospital bills.

Now, the city is investing in an organization that tries to stop violence before emergency response steps in.  

"It feels pretty amazing to be a part of the Columbus Urban League and to see that the city recognizes the hard work that the team puts in," Columbus Urban League Vice President of Leadership and Workforce Development Charity Martin-King said. 

The city has pledged $725,000 from its general fund to help double the neighborhood violence intervention program team, get the word out about their work, and increase training.  

"Many times, they are putting their own personal lives at risk because of the city that they care so much about and to see this happen after nearly 13 years of service in the community is very, very significantly important," Martin-King said.   

This is the first year the city’s Office of Violence Prevention is working directly with the program.

"The work that they do as well as some of the others that we partner with, are kind of hidden gems in the city of Columbus because not a lot of people really know about the intervention work that their teams provide, but the work that they do is crucial to public safety here in the city of Columbus," Office of Violence Prevention Executive Director Rena Shak said. 

The teams collect data through their interactions with the community and use it to find ways to reduce violence. 

"If we're able to invest a little more heavily on the front end with prevention contracts, violence reduction and intervention contracts like the Columbus Urban League contract, we're able to save so much more on the back end, not only on a financial perspective, though, but we're saving lives," Shak said. 

Legislation states that the Columbus Urban League primarily responds to the south and east zones of the city. They also provide support services to victim's loved ones.