State funding for Detroit violence intervention program in limbo

A discussion about funding the city's violence intervention program, which leaders have called a national model, included a back-and-forth between two council members running for mayor.

Detroit City Council discussing the funding of the city’s community violence intervention program Thursday, April 3. Screenshot: City of Detroit

As Detroit City Council considers adding local funds to a program police leaders say has reduced violent crime, an exchange between two members during the discussion underscored the election year dynamics playing out within the nine-member body.

Council members spent part of a committee hearing Thursday discussing the potential funding gap for the city’s community violence intervention program (CVI), known as “Shotstoppers.”

It’s not clear whether state Democrats will sign off on legislation as written, which would bring state funding to the city’s CVI program. A Detroit state lawmaker told me Thursday the bills shouldn’t pass without the inclusion of police accountability measures, which could be unpopular among Republicans, who control the state House.

In 2023, $10 million went to groups like Force Detroit, which received $700,000 over two years from the city’s pandemic relief funds to address violence in neighborhoods. The city told the groups if they were able to decrease crime, they would be rewarded more money.

The mayor’s proposed budget includes $4.4 million from the general fund for CVI, but state funding for the program’s continuation depends on both state legislative chambers.

District 7 Councilman Fred Durhal III, who was part of the program’s creation, wants to add $3 million for CVI from the city’s general fund to support adding two groups on the city’s east side.

City officials have been pushing for $18 million from the state’s proposed $75 million Public Safety Trust Fund, but it’s unclear when and if the package will be passed through the state Senate.

As council members work closely with members of Detroit’s legislative delegation over the bills, Durhal said he’s hearing from members of the Michigan Senate that the funding package could be held up in the chamber.

“The city doesn't put pressure on the Michigan Legislature. The legislature puts pressure on cities,” Durhal, a former state representative, told council members during the Thursday hearing.

Durhal’s comments were in response to council president Mary Sheffield’s suggestion council members should pressure state lawmakers to pass the legislation. He also warned council members a number of other communities are also looking to receive funds from the package.

“I definitely understand the Public Safety Trust Fund is not just for Detroit, I’ve been following, I’ve been out there to testify, I’m following the whole thing and actually have an ordinance to ensure once the money comes here there’s a dedicated stream that funds CVI for its overall sustainability,” Sheffield said. “We’re all on the same page, it’s just whether or not we do it now or on the back end.”

Durhal quickly responded, saying he wasn’t insinuating that Sheffield didn’t understand the legislature, and that he’s had conversations with members of the state Senate which cast doubt on the package’s chances of passing.

Both Sheffield and Durhal are running for mayor. The primary election is Aug. 5.

“Me being as adamant as I am is because I understand reality,” Durhal told me over the phone Thursday.

“The reality is, in order for the Public Safety Trust Fund to pass through the Senate, they're going to have to hash it out,” Durhal said. “In the meantime, we've got to set ourselves up for success and ensure that CVI continues. We want to make sure there are no gaps.”