Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

All

News

Sport

Culture

Lifestyle

Life coaches and support slash Oakland homicides to historic lows in violence prevention success

California Oakland Homicides (AP)

Oakland, California, has achieved historic lows in homicides through its Ceasefire-Lifeline program, which connects individuals vulnerable to gang violence with life coaches and support services.

The program, involving prosecutors, clergy, and survivors, focuses on offering support and alternatives to incarceration, injury, or death, rather than punishment.

After an initial success and subsequent dilution, the program was revitalized following an audit, leading to a significant drop in homicides from 118 in 2023 to 78 in 2024, and a record low of 57 last year.

Police involvement is limited to identifying individuals at risk of retaliation or becoming victims, with the Department of Violence Prevention engaging participants…