Chicago’s Summer Safety Strategy Centers Community Violence Intervention and Youth Investment

At least 26 people were shot over Memorial Day weekend, including one fatality — a slight increase from 2025, when Chicago recorded its least violent Memorial Day weekend since 2010. During that period last year, 25 people were shot, including four fatalities.

The latest data comes just days after the City of Chicago’s Summer Safety Press Conference in Back-of-the-Yards, where city leaders, community organizations, and violence prevention advocates gathered around a shared message: community safety is built through investment, relationships, and Community Violence Intervention (CVI).

Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized that safety cannot be separated from belonging, partnership, and coordinated support for neighborhoods that have historically faced disinvestment. “We believe that safety is built through trust, partnership, investment in people and communities, and creating a true sense of belonging,” he said.

The mayor also acknowledged the critical role of CVI organizations across Chicago, including Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) organizations like Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation (PBMR), calling them “essential partners in violence prevention and healing and community safety as a whole.”

That partnership was echoed by Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s (INVC) Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Sam Castro, who spoke on behalf of CVI organizations across the city. Castro stressed that Chicago’s historic reduction in violence was not accidental and could not be accomplished by government alone.

“CVI played a key role in this violence reduction in the city,” Castro said. “We didn’t do it alone. We did it with our partners.”

While recognizing the city’s progress, Castro made clear that the work is far from over. “One life lost to gun violence is too much.”

The city’s broader strategy also includes expanded opportunities for young people, with initiatives to connect thousands of young people to jobs, mentorship, and safe community spaces throughout the summer.

“If we’re not working with community, things break down,” Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said. “We have to be partners in this.”

Deputy Mayor Emanuel Andre framed the city’s summer safety approach around relationship building, accessibility, and healing centered investment. “Accountability requires relationships,” Andre said. “It is through relationships that we bring a presence of belonging to every block.”

Together, speakers described a citywide effort that sees CVI not as a separate initiative, but as a continued part of Chicago’s public safety strategy. Through outreach, youth engagement, healing centered programming, and neighborhood investment, city leaders and community partners say they are continuing the work of building safer communities block by block this summer.