Real Safety D.C.: Kristy Love on Crime Trends, Community Strategies and a Safer District

December 11, 2025

The Washington Informer hosted a roundtable discussion focusing on non-carceral approaches to violence prevention in Washington, D.C., bringing together leaders from various sectors. Kristy Love, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, reported significant crime reductions in the District, with 2025 showing the lowest crime levels in decades, including an 11% overall decrease and 28% drop in violent crime compared to the previous year. She attributed these improvements to community-based strategies, particularly the group violence reduction model, which identifies at-risk individuals and connects them with support services through coordinated efforts involving community messengers, faith leaders, and law enforcement.

Who is affected

Kristy Love, Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
D.C. residents, particularly those in neighborhoods previously experiencing frequent gun violence
Individuals at highest risk of involvement in gun violence (as victims or perpetrators)
Youth and their families/households being served by violence prevention programs
Four D.C. leaders from faith, business, government, and community sectors who participated in the roundtable
Love's daughter (mentioned regarding gunshots near their neighborhood)
30 local and federal justice entities collaborating through CJCC

What action is being taken

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is monitoring and analyzing public safety data across the District
CJCC is overseeing automated information sharing among 30 local and federal justice entities
Community messengers, faith leaders, violence interrupters, and law enforcement are communicating directly with at-risk individuals
Agencies are actively securing appointments, stabilizing immediate needs, and connecting people to resources such as employment, counseling, and housing
Cognitive behavioral therapy, street outreach, and family-based programming for youth are being implemented
Hotspot policing is being implemented with community input

Why it matters

This represents a significant shift in how D.C. addresses public safety, demonstrating that community-based, non-carceral approaches can produce measurable results in reducing violence. The reported crime levels are at historic lows—the lowest in 25-30 years—with dramatic decreases in violent crime (28%), homicides (21%), and carjackings (over 50%). The success of the group violence reduction model shows that treating root causes and supporting entire families, rather than relying solely on incarceration, can effectively break cycles of violence. These outcomes have tangible impacts on residents' daily lives and sense of safety, as evidenced by Love's personal experience of no longer hearing frequent gunshots in her neighborhood.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer