Alternatives to Violence

Interrupting Violence in Charlotte

Alternatives to Violence (ATV) is an evidence-based violence reduction program in Charlotte based on training provided by Cure Violence Global. Housed by GreenLight Charlotte’s implementation partner, Youth Advocates Program (YAP), ATV is staffed by neighborhood residents who are trained and hired to lead ground level work on Beatties Ford Road.

GreenLight, in partnership with Wells Fargo, the county and the city, launched ATV in Charlotte-Mecklenburg in response to an uptick in violent acts and homicides. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reported 107 homicides in 2019 and 122 homicides in 2020, making it the deadliest year since 1993. The program aims to reduce violence by 70% over the next four years.

Through the model, ATV uses strategies to detect and interrupt conflicts, identify and treat the highest risk individuals and change community norms around violence. Individuals and families at the highest risk of committing violent crimes are connected with educational, economic and emotional tools to achieve positive goals. By partnering with local businesses and organizations to host community events and gatherings, as of mid-2023, the ATV team has engaged over 800 individuals, referred over 180 individuals to behavioral change services and completed more than 60 mediations.

With ATV’s success, the City of Charlotte will apply federal funding to expand the program to two additional corridors – West Boulevard/Reamont Road and Nation Ford Road – to deepen its impact of violence reduction and increased community safety across Charlotte.