Alliance of Concerned Men combats DC's summer crime surge with new initiatives

WASHINGTON (7News) — As summer holidays come to an end and attention turns back to school, Seven News spoke to Terrance Staley of the Alliance of Concerned Men.

The Community Based Organization (CBO) aims to impact communities in Washington, DC through Violence Interrupters and targeted programs.

Their work continued as neighborhoods prepared for the rise in violent crime typical of the hot summer months.

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Seven On Your Side asked Staley how his organization measures success in the face of ongoing youth shootings and alarming headlines.

“The statistics are down in 2024 and in fiscal year 2025 they will be down even further because of what we and the city are doing,” Staley said. “You have the Attorney General's Office with Cure Violence, we have two Cure locations, one in Benning Terrace and one in Highlands. We have our partnership with the mayor's office – the Credible Messenger initiative.”

“I have put so many things in place to help these teens, young adults and adults find a different path,” Staley continued.

In addition to collecting school supplies and running a fundraiser to support students returning to school, Staley also highlights his organization's conflict resolution classes, which are taught to members of local communities ages five to 24.

“When these 5- to 13-year-olds see 14- to 24-year-olds walking past them while they're trying to resolve a conflict, they understand what's really going on, and that changes the cultural violence and brings peace into the home,” he said. “Conflict resolution gives them a tool that when they step out the door, they can bring more peace to their neighbors, their brothers and sisters.”

When asked how he would assess the level of violence and the response to it this summer, Staley paused for a moment.

“I'm a very transparent person,” he said. “Three youth that I directly serve were shot this summer … directly. Another youth that I directly serve lost his life this summer, and so that doesn't mean ACM isn't doing its job. That doesn't mean the rest of these CBOs aren't doing their job. That is, trauma has gotten so bad that no matter what resources are deployed, we could lose some people we love.”

He said that while statistics on falling crime rates paint a positive picture, there is still much work to be done.

“I can tell you we are committed to the work,” he said. “I can tell you we are directly affected by those who are doing poorly and we are committed to maintaining and improving the systems we have put in place.”