Background
Community Violence in Wichita has risen steadily since 2016. In 2021, gun violence in Wichita accounted for approximately 74% of all homicides with 33 people killed with firearms, and an additional 207 people who were struck by bullets but survived their injuries. In addition, 48% of gun violence victims were 24 years old or younger. The ripple effects of violence extend beyond directly involved individuals to include their families, neighbors, educators, coworkers, and friends. Violence has increased due to the pandemic, and shooting incidents can affect the sense of safety and security of entire communities and affect everyday life, with the fear of violence worsening both health disparities and health outcomes.
As a strategy to combat gun violence, t
he city is identifying partnerships, resources, workers, and program structures to implement a Violence Interrupter site. On March 27, 2023, the city released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking Community-based Organizations (CBOs) to stand-up violence interruption site(s) in two areas in Districts I and III.