By Suzie Ziegler
RICHMOND, Va. — The city of Richmond, Virginia, is trying out new tactics to combat gun violence amid a spike in homicides, according to 8News. The campaign will include hiring “violence interrupters,” or people who will serve as mediators between potentially violent groups, said Richmond Police Chief Gerald Smith.
“These individuals will be from the streets. There’s no other way to put it,” Smith said. “These people will come with some baggage. They will come with history. They will come with experience and connections to the community that we don’t have.”
The city has four open positions for violence interrupters, and each offers a salary of $31,000 to $46,000 per year.
According to the report, 2021 saw the highest number of homicides in 15 years. Smith says more officers would help curb gun violence. Currently, the Richmond Police Department is down more than 130 officers, according to 8News.
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