On the streets of D.C., where conflicts can quickly turn dangerous, a new group of residents is stepping forward to change the story. Through the city’s violence interrupter program, everyday neighbors are learning how to prevent fights, calm tense situations, and guide people toward safer choices before violence has a chance to take hold.
Over weeks of training, participants gain hands-on skills in de-escalation, mediation, and situational awareness, while also learning the softer arts of listening, mentoring, and building trust within their communities.
Graduates return to their neighborhoods ready to act as peacemakers, stepping into high-tension moments, connecting with at-risk youth, and fostering stronger bonds between residents and local authorities.
The program has already helped reduce street violence in participating areas and created a ripple effect of trust, showing that ordinary community members can be powerful agents of safety and change.
By empowering residents to intervene with care and confidence, the program is turning the idea of community safety into a shared, living practice—one conversation, one intervention, one life at a time.