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University of Chicago Releases Year-End Crime Data, Homicides Down 12% A new report from the University of Chicago’s Crime Lab highlights the statistics on crime in Chicago in 2023. While there’s room for improvement, there is also proof of numbers trending down. The report concludes that homicides are down by 12 percent from 2022, while…

MPI’s Chief Program Officer Domonique McCord Highlights Community Violence Intervention Work on ABC 7 Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) Chief Program Officer Domonique McCord sat down with ABC 7’s Mark Rivera to discuss the efforts of the organization and the opening of the Metropolitan Peace Academy in Pilsen. The spotlight was featured in the station’s “Our…

Bureau of Justice Assistance Hosts Violent Crime Reduction Summit The U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance hosted the Violent Crime Reduction Summit on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 in Indianapolis. The event was aimed at educating attendees on community violence intervention (CVI) initiatives being used across the country. Speakers included Institute for Nonviolence Chicago…

Target Area Development Hosts ‘Holiday Blessings Dinner’ in Englewood Ogden Park’s field house was filled with holiday spirit during Target Area Development‘s Holiday Blessings Dinner on December 20. Approximately 80 people, including around 30 children, gathered to celebrate and eat a Christmas meal. While people enjoyed their meals, Target Area organizers prepared a raffle for…

MPI’s Senior Field Manager Billy “Bo” Deal Completes Degree, Profiled in Chicago Sun-Times Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) Senior Field Manager of Field Operations Billy “Bo” Deal was the subject of an incredible feature in the Chicago Sun-Times after earning his undergraduate degree in urban community studies from Northeastern Illinois University. Deal is the first to…

MPI Presents CP4P Model to CVI Community Leaders Across The Country Metropolitan Peace Initiatives‘ Chief Policy Officer Kanu Iheukumere recently spoke at the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA). The event, known as the Community Violence Intervention Immersive Lab, hosted by UCAN Chicago, University of Chicago Crime Lab, and Heartland Alliance, was held December 11th…

Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation Celebrates Holiday Season with Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Joy, peace, and the holiday spirit filled the air as Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR) took part in gathering the Back of the Yards neighborhood for its annual Christmas tree lighting event on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 on the corner of…

JUST IN: Video from 2023 U of I Cline Symposium Featuring MPI Executive Director Vaughn Bryant on Gun Violence Reduction Metropolitan Peace Initiatives Executive Director Vaughn Bryant addressed the topic of gun violence reduction in the U.S. at the 2023 University of Illinois Cline Symposium on October 26, 2023. He spoke on the points of…

Leadership in Action: MPI Chief Program Officer Domonique McCord Leads Session at Black Women’s Work Symposium More than 150 Black women professionals gathered at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice for the Black Women’s Work Symposium. This symposium served as a transformative gathering and place for reflection on…

WATCH: U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Committee Hearing on Gun Violence Epidemic Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) Executive Director Vaughn Bryant recently testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing entitled “The Gun Violence Epidemic: A Public Health Crisis.” Bryant, along with other policy experts in Washington, D.C., spoke to the rise and devastating…