Although adults commit most violent crime, the number committed by young people is up. To talk about how youth people can be steered away from criminal behavior, we welcomed Candice Jones from the Public Welfare Foundation and Dr. Jason B. Willis from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC).

Rather than mass incarceration, cities need better detective work and more community-based interventions. Other effective programs include intervening with the victims of crime so that they do not then retaliate or commit crimes themselves. Hospitals can be a great place to start, providing trauma-informed care and directing victims toward social providers before they even exit hospital care.

Business leaders can be influencers in the Wilson Building. Ask policymakers for a clear plan and funding to invest in violence intervention programs.