The “Cure Violence” violence-prevention program may be coming to Greensboro, as city and Guilford County officials research ways to curb rising crime rates in the area.
The national program’s goal is to reduce violence by looking at it as a disease that needs to be treated.
There are local versions around the country, including one in Durham called “Bull City United.”
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Assistant Professor in Public Health Education Erica Payton said she wants the program to go beyond reducing crime.
“I think that if we can reframe how we think about violence and how it operates in a community, and then we also reframe how we approach violence in our community, I think we'll be able to see longstanding changes,” she said.
Last year, there were 42 homicides in Greensboro, according to the Greensboro Police Department.
Cure Violence uses an "epidemic-control" model in target areas to reduce violence.
Payton, who also has knowledge in firearm violence, said brining the program to Greensboro is a good idea.
“Gun violence, whether it's through suicide or homicide, is a major problems and has been a major problem in many of our communities,” she said. “Why not bring it to this area?”