Voices from Across My Office: Cure the Streets
At the Office of the Attorney General, we’re proud of the broad array of work we do on behalf of the District, and the hundreds of employees who make our agency run. “Voices from Across My Office” is a blog series highlighting some of the people behind our efforts and the variety of work they do to support, defend, and stand up for District residents. This week’s spotlight is on the Cure the Streets team.
About the Cure the Streets Team
Cure the Streets is OAG’s pilot public safety program that works to reduce gun violence in targeted neighborhoods in the District. Cure the Streets takes a public health approach to stopping gun violence by treating it like a disease that can be interrupted, treated, and stopped from spreading. Comprised of violence interrupters, outreach workers, program managers, and support staff, these dedicated community members work tirelessly to end gun violence and change community norms around violence. They specifically work in neighborhoods that have historically experienced some of the highest rates of gun violence.
Outreach workers and violence interrupters are from the communities they serve — giving them the credibility and agency to de-escalate conflicts, resolve disputes through mediation, and prevent retaliatory shootings from happening. They also stay engaged with the participants after a mediation to ensure a lasting peace and to connect them with the services — mental health, job training, and food — they need to live healthy lives. In addition, outreach workers take a more active role in identifying high-risk individuals from inside and around the target areas. Program Managers supervise the various teams and ensure that staff has the resources it needs to effectively connect with people in the community. And our support staff does an incredible job of ensuring that operational, technical, and administrative assignments are completed to guarantee the program runs smoothly.
The work of the Cure the Streets team is not easy. But they do this work because they want better for their communities. They believe that the people closest to the problem are the ones with the answers to solve it. And their dedication to changing their community is not only addressing the root causes of crime — like poverty, hopelessness, and trauma — but breaking the cycle of violence.
Below are some of the extraordinary and mission driven people that make up our Cure the Streets team.
Staff Spotlights
Name: Brittany Graham
Title: Outreach Worker
Time at CTS: 2 years
How did you find out about Cure the Streets and why’d you join the team?
When Cure came out to my neighborhood, a few people reached out and said that they thought it might be a good fit for me. I grew up in the target area and I used to be involved in stealing and fighting when I was younger.
I felt like I had an opportunity to let my voice be heard and show other people that you can turn your life around. I don’t do this because I think I’m better than anyone else — I’m just trying to save my community.
Talk us through what an outreach worker does.
We try to prevent shootings before they happen by figuring out who is behind it and why. We’re on foot engaging with the community members trying to build trust and help us change the culture of violence. I also do case management — developing risk reduction plans with people involved in shootings to ensure there is no retaliation.
We also do a lot of work trying to connect people to the services they need — whether that be getting them IDs, health care, or job training.
What is something you’re proud of since joining the Cure Team?
When we first started, people were hesitant to work with us, share information, or even accept the help. But it’s been really awesome to see the buy-in from the community grow and see how they feel comfortable with us now. People are very thankful for the work that we do and I’m proud of that.
What keeps you motivated to do this work?
The fact that I can see the impact we’re having in real time — and that the culture of violence is changing. I’ve also lost a lot of childhood friends from gun violence. In the last two years, I’ve lost five friends — all women — from my neighborhood. I do this work for them because I want more for my community.
Name: Victor Battle
Title: Outreach Worker
Time at CTS: 3 years
Tell us about your background and what brought you to Cure the Streets?
I grew up in a house where my dad was incarcerated. I had to work to provide for my mother and two sisters and I ended up getting into some trouble with the law. I was able to get a job at the Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens as a Workforce Development Specialist. By the time I left, I helped over 500 people get job training and employment. When Cure came to my neighborhood, I knew I could use my previous connections with community partners to bring people the services they need and help change the norms around violence.
How exactly do you work to change those norms?
A lot of people who have grown up in and around violence only know violence as a way to resolve disputes. We try to change the norm by taking high risk people on trips outside of the community to show them what life without gun violence is like.
In the past, we’ve taken groups of kids to the Audubon out in Maryland or to Six Flags just so the kids can see a life and world outside of their block.
Part of what you do is connect people with services. Talk us through what that looks like in practice.
Take mental health as an example. A lot of Black men have been misled about what a therapist does. Therefore, they don’t want to get help. I always let them know that I have a therapist and that I can find them one that looks like them, talks like them, and comes from the same background as them. Once I convince them, I work with the community partners to get that person the treatment they need.
Also, some people in the community don’t have access to basic appliances like washer and dryers. Their kids don’t go to school because their clothes are dirty. I try all I can to get these people the basics so they don’t feel the need to turn to crime and violence.
What keeps you motivated to do this work?
The small wins. Every day I just try to help one person. If I do that, I have enough motivation to wake up the next day and keep going. One time I took an at-risk person from the community to get fitted for a suit so he could go into a job interview. The look of pride on his face when he put that suit on was priceless. If I can get one more person who will want that change for themselves, that’s a success in my book. I also do this work for my kids. I don’t want to see them being a senseless victim of crime.
Name: Curtis “Coach Peedy” Monroe
Title: Outreach Worker & Site Supervisor
Time at CTS: 3 years
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your work in the community.
I’ve lived in DC my whole life and watched this city go through many changes. Growing up, I had opportunities to play sports — football and basketball — at higher levels. But unfortunately, I chose the streets and street life. Eventually, I got tired of it — tired of going to funerals almost every week for people who died from gun violence.
I wanted to be a part of the solution, so I formed sports leagues in the community so kids could get involved in healthy and productive activities. And I’ve been running these leagues since 1997.
So how did you get involved with Cure the Streets?
I didn’t find Cure — Cure found me. And I think that’s because they knew that I came from the streets and turned my life around. Nearly everyone in my community isn’t okay with the violence that goes on, but they don’t know how to go about making a change. So, I thought Cure was another way to reach people and stop the violence.
Your day-to-day work involves being on the ground talking to folks and trying to change the culture of violence. What are some observations you’ve seen?
Like I said, nearly everyone doesn’t want to live with non-stop violence. That’s why I’m out here talking to people encouraging them to talk things out before they pick up a gun. And because you have people like me and my colleagues who’ve been through it, we really want to make a difference. We’re trying to save lives and keep people out of prison.
The work and progress of violence interruption is by no means linear. As you know, it’s filled with setbacks. How do you stay hopeful about the work you do?
Faith is a big part of it — I pray a lot. The other part is my own story. There was a time when I didn’t think I could change my life. But being on the other side of it, I know that others can too.
You said back in the day that you had the talents to play basketball at a higher level. You still have a good jumper?
No doubt!
