Greensboro City Council approves contracts for nonprofits to be part of Community Violence Interruption and Intervention Project

Greensboro City Council approved spending over $1 million Tuesday to collaborate with four nonprofits for a Community Violence Intervention and Interruption Project after a record-setting year in homicides.

The City Council voted seven to one on contracts for the four nonprofits to help reduce violent crime. They include One Step Further, A Way of Life Outreach, and GSOPEACECORP.

Councilmember Zack Matheny was the sole vote against all four. He said this is one of the most important issues facing the city, but it wasn't fully clear what each organization will do.

"And if we are more strategic on this with giving us qualified information then we can support it," he said. "And at this point, we don't have that."

The organizations were each awarded a three-year, $300,000 contract. According to the city council agenda, they will develop a violence interruption and intervention program.

The council will be able to vote annually on whether or not to continue the contracts.

Greensboro saw a record 74 homicides last year.