Director of Halo urges council to support evidence-based hospital intervention to reduce violence

Joshua Jones, director of Halo, Mobile's hospital-based violence intervention program, addressed the City Council on Feb. 24 to press for evidence-based strategies and investments to reduce violence.

Jones described research from the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform and trends in several large U.S. cities that showed declines in homicide after implementing focused deterrence, credible community intervention, hospital-based response and data-driven enforcement. He said hospital-based programs can reduce violent re-injury by 400% to 60% among participants and argued Mobile should invest in an ecosystem for prevention and response.

"When cities allow focused deterrents, credible community intervention, hospital based response, and data-driven enforcement, the homicides will decline," Jones said, and he urged the council to move beyond commentary to action.

Jones said Halo had materials and photo examples for council review and invited members to a 'lunch and learn' on strategies as well as a March 23 youth-focused empowerment event. He characterized the work as a mix of practice, research and national collaboration and asked city leaders to champion the approach and invest in capacity building.

Council members thanked Jones, noted prior reviews of similar strategies in Mobile, and asked how they could support implementation; Jones offered to share materials and coordinate with city staff and local health partners.