Milwaukee County highlights community violence intervention efforts

Milwaukee County highlights community violence intervention efforts

County Executive David Crowley hosted a roundtable discussion on Monday, Jan. 26, to highlight Milwaukee County’s Credible Messenger Program.

MILWAUKEE - County Executive David Crowley hosted a roundtable discussion on Monday, Jan. 26, to highlight Milwaukee County’s Credible Messenger Program.

Credible Messenger Program

What we know:

According to news release, the program aims to improve public safety and support local youth involved in the justice system through expanding mentorship, resources, and job opportunities.

What they're saying:

"My administration launched the Credible Messenger Program to promote public safety by working directly with our young people, particularly those caught in the justice system, to intervene before violence happens. The program has produced promising results for Milwaukee County youth through the expansion of mentorship, resources, and job opportunities," said County Executive Crowley. 

County Executive Crowley was joined by Credible Messenger partners, local leaders, and representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to discuss how to continue addressing public safety challenges through community violence intervention initiatives, youth engagement efforts, and greater partnership with state and federal leaders.

"I am very pleased to see the collective impact of our Community Violence Intervention work. The Credible Messenger Program is part of a comprehensive effort to address youth gun violence and be responsive to public safety situations," said David Muhammad, Deputy Director, Milwaukee County DHHS. 

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About the program

Dig deeper:

According to a news release, the Credible Messenger Program promotes public safety by intervening in gun violence and supports positive outcomes for youth, with an emphasis on those in the youth justice system. 

Since its inception, the program has worked with youth at all points of system involvement by coordinating with partners—community-based organizations, public health entities, academic institutions and government agencies—and is staffed by individuals with lived experience and previous justice involvement who support youth through transformative mentoring.