New Safety Program Launches in Austin Neighborhood

A groundbreaking community safety program launched this week in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, marking the latest effort to address violence through community engagement rather than traditional policing methods.

The Austin Community Safety Initiative, a collaboration between the Chicago Department of Public Health and local nonprofit BUILD Chicago, will deploy trained community ambassadors to de-escalate conflicts and connect residents with mental health services, job training, and other social resources.

The program targets a four-square-mile area bounded by North Avenue, Roosevelt Road, Cicero Avenue, and Central Park Avenue—a region that has experienced 127 violent incidents in the past year according to Chicago Police Department data.

“We’re not trying to replace police work, but we’re trying to address the root causes of violence before situations escalate,” said Maria Rodriguez, director of violence prevention for BUILD Chicago. “Our ambassadors are from this community. They understand the dynamics, the families, the struggles that people are facing here.”

Twelve full-time community ambassadors will work in teams of two, patrolling the neighborhood on foot during peak hours—typically 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and extended weekend shifts. Each ambassador completed 40 hours of training in conflict mediation, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention.

The $2.3 million program, funded through a combination of federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars and private philanthropy, represents Austin’s first comprehensive violence intervention initiative of this scale. Similar programs in cities like Oakland and Richmond, California have shown promising results, with some reporting 20-30% reductions in violent crime.

Austin alderman Emma Mitts praised the initiative during Monday’s launch event at the Columbus Park field house, emphasizing the importance of community-driven solutions.

“For too long, we’ve relied solely on arrest and incarceration to solve problems that require healing and opportunity,” Mitts said. “This program recognizes that public safety means different things to different people, and sometimes what people need most is someone who looks like them and understands their experience.”

The program’s holistic approach extends beyond street-level intervention. Embedded social workers will provide on-site mental health services, while partnership agreements with local employers aim to fast-track participants into job training programs. A mobile resource center will rotate between different locations throughout the week, offering services ranging from housing assistance to substance abuse counseling.

Community response has been cautiously optimistic, though some residents express skepticism about whether another program can meaningfully impact deeply entrenched problems.

Longtime Austin resident James Washington, whose grandson was shot near Laramie Avenue last year, said he supports the initiative but wants to see concrete results.

“We’ve had programs come and go before,” Washington said while walking his dog near the Columbus Park lagoon. “I’m hopeful, but I’m also watching to see if this is really different or if it’s just more of the same promises.”

Program coordinators acknowledge the weight of community expectations while emphasizing their commitment to transparency and accountability. Monthly community meetings will provide updates on program activities and outcomes, while an independent evaluator will track key metrics including response times, successful de-escalations, and longer-term neighborhood indicators.

The Austin initiative builds on smaller pilot programs that have operated in Englewood and North Lawndale since 2021. Preliminary data from those sites shows encouraging trends, including a 15% reduction in police calls for domestic disputes and increased utilization of mental health services among program participants.

Dr. Sarah Chen, the city’s deputy commissioner for violence prevention, said Austin was selected for expansion based on both community need and local organizational capacity.

“Austin has incredible community assets—strong block clubs, established nonprofits, resident leaders who’ve been doing this work for years,” Chen explained. “Our role is to provide resources and coordination to amplify what’s already happening here.”

The program faces significant challenges, including staff retention in a demanding field and the complex task of measuring success in communities where violence has deep historical roots. Coordinators also must navigate relationships with traditional law enforcement while establishing their distinct role.

Chicago Police Department officials have expressed cautious support for the initiative, though some officers worry about role confusion during emergency situations. Department spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said officers received briefings about the program and protocols for coordinating with community ambassadors.

Program leaders plan to expand into adjacent neighborhoods if initial outcomes prove successful, with West Garfield Park and East Garfield Park identified as potential sites for 2025 expansion.

For now, Austin residents will have the opportunity to see whether this community-centered approach can deliver the safety and stability that has long eluded their neighborhood. The program’s success could influence violence prevention strategies across Chicago’s South and West sides, where similar challenges persist.

Community members interested in learning more about the Austin Community Safety Initiative can attend monthly meetings held the second Tuesday of each month at the Columbus Park field house, or visit the program’s mobile resource center as it rotates throughout the neighborhood.