City Council Work Session on Community Violence Intervention – March 31, 2026

The Portsmouth City Council held a public work session on March 31, 2026, to receive a presentation on Community Violence Intervention (CVI) from Dr. Chico Tillman and Marcus McAllister. The session focused on the CVI ecosystem, the role of credible messengers, funding and return on investment, and the integration of CVI with existing city programs. Council members discussed metrics, hospital partnerships, the local Pivot for Peace 757 initiative, and the existing Crime and Gun Violence Reduction Task Force.

Discussion Items

• CVI Presentation: Dr. Chico Tillman, executive director of the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago, and Marcus McAllister, CEO of McAllister Consultancy and Training, presented on CVI. They defined CVI as a coordinated network of people and strategies to prevent violence and interrupt harm, emphasizing that CVI organizations work with the highest-risk individuals (approximately 1% of the population responsible for about 75% of violence). They described the four buckets of CVI work: street outreach, violence interruption, workforce development, and survivor networks. They highlighted the importance of trusted or credible messengers who have lived experience and access to at-risk individuals.
• Funding and ROI: Dr. Tillman explained that every $1 invested in CVI saves $27 in societal costs, noting that a homicide costs up to $2 million and an aggravated assault up to $1 million. He referenced successful CVI investments in New York (from 1,100 homicides to ~200) and Los Angeles (from 1,100 to ~300) after investing hundreds of millions. He argued that underfunding CVI is counterproductive and that cities must invest adequately.
• Role of Government and Police: The presenters described the city’s role as a convener, funder, and barrier remover. They stressed that CVI and law enforcement share the same goal of community safety but operate with mutual respect and professional understanding, not sharing confidential information. Chief Jenkins was noted for his support of the CVI approach.
• Data and Metrics: Dr. Tillman emphasized the need for quantitative and qualitative data collection, including risk reduction forms, touch points, mediations, and community events. Council member Moody requested more details on metrics; the presenters confirmed that data collection is a core part of their training.
• Hospital-Based Programs: Council member Thomas asked about hospital-based violence intervention (HVIP). Presenters explained that street teams can respond to hospitals with proper MOUs and training. The council noted that Portsmouth sent 750 patients to the local Navy trauma center last year and discussed the need to formalize partnerships with both Sentara and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.
• Crime and Gun Violence Reduction Task Force: Council member Bryant raised concerns about the task force, which has been meeting for 18 months without clear purpose. The presenters offered to provide training to the task force to educate them on CVI and help define their role, rather than disbanding the group. Mayor Glover supported this approach, noting the value of community ambassadors.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or resolutions were taken; the session was informational.
• The council and presenters agreed to schedule a future training session for the Crime and Gun Violence Reduction Task Force to educate members on CVI.
• The presenters offered to assist in developing MOUs with area hospitals (Sentara and Naval Medical Center) to formalize hospital-based intervention partnerships.
• The council expressed continued support for the Pivot for Peace 757 initiative and its integration with city services.
• The mayor acknowledged the progress made (e.g., 300 days without a shooting at Dale's Homes) and the need for sustained investment and collaboration.