GVRS FAQ
This section provides information on Baltimore City’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy. The questions listed provide a baseline understanding of the strategy in addition to questions received directly from the Baltimore community.
If you do not see the answer to your question on our site, please email monse.gvrs@baltimorecity.gov with the subject line “GVRS FAQ.”
What is GVRS?
What will be different about GVRS than past initiatives?
How do we know GVRS will work?
What is MONSE’s Role?
What is law enforcement’s role?
How can I get involved?
Interested in learning more about direct communication?
Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), also known as focused deterrence, is a nationally recognized approach that has the strongest formal evaluation record of any violence prevention initiative designed to reduce homicides and non-fatal shootings.
What will be different about GVRS from past initiatives?
This initiative is different from the other initiatives because we have learned from past mistakes, are seeking out proper funding, and are prioritizing transparency along the way. This means that already our capabilities for change have increased. We’re getting support at a federal level through funding and lessons learned from other cities. Based on that the following needs are important to successful implementation:
- GVRS must be central to BPD’s law enforcement strategy with oversight for respectful engagement and connections to community policing.
- More investment needed in service providers
- Additional investment is needed to support a broader community voice and community capacity.
How do we know GVRS will work?
A central element to the success of the GVRS is Direct Communications. These involve all partners (community voice, service providers, and law enforcement) coming together to express a shared message of non-violence directly with the people at the highest risk of being shot.
There are primarily two means for direct communications: call-ins and customs notifications. Call-ins are a group approach while custom notifications are more individualized forms of outreach.
Call-ins are larger and more complex conversations with many groups at high risk of involvement in gun violence.
Custom Notifications are conversations with one individual at a high risk of gun violence.
Starting with custom notifications this time will help Baltimore get the shared message right before moving to a larger audience. We’ll know we are successful once we have that unified message along with the appropriate supports for implementation.
Community representatives’ indirect communications should be respected ‘moral voices’ who can really connect with people involved in group-related activity/violence.
What is MONSE’s Role?
MONSE’s dedicated GVRS team will be responsible for cross-sectoral partner coordination, as well as leadership in the support and outreach and community “moral voice” components of the strategy.
What is law enforcement’s role?
- A range of officers from BPD’s Neighborhood Coordination, Re-entry, and Group Violence Units will participate in direct communications
- Specialized BPD staffing dedicated to the investigation, enforcement, outreach, victim services, and program oversight/accountability
- Robust selection and training process for officers assigned to GVRS
- Connected to BPD’s Community Policing and Consent Decree activities
- SAO and BPD Collaboration through Baltimore Community Intelligence Centers and Shooting Reviews
- SAO and BPD commitment to case selection driven by a connection to violence
We’re looking for support in the following ways:
- Naming the Strategy
- Building Neighborhood & Family Capacity
- Provide Ongoing Input on the Pilot
For more information visit our Community Voice page to see how you can get involved in co-producing public safety with us.
Interested in learning more about direct communication?
Join an introductory training with our Technical Assistance Team starting on December 7th. Time and location TBD.