Commissioners and police back GBI rollout; chief lays out Phase 1 results and asks for sustained funding and quarterly reports

A commissioner urged the Fort Lauderdale City Commission on July 2 to adopt a unified, city‑wide approach to violence reduction through the Group Violence Intervention program and asked the commission to commit to funding, oversight and public reporting.

"We need to fund GBI permanently," the commissioner said, urging the commission to consider budgeting a project manager and outreach personnel in fiscal 2027 and to institutionalize the program via a resolution with quarterly reporting back to the commission.

Police Chief Bill Schultz described GBI as "a nationally recognized evidence based strategy reducing violent crime by focused law enforcement, community leader involvement and service providers coming to the table for a small number of individuals, offenders or victims responsible for the majority of serious crimes." He summarized Phase 1 accomplishments — an impact patrol team, expanded crime‑analysis tools, four GBI workshops in partnership with John Jay College, and a coalition of service providers — and said Phase 2, which began July 2, will focus on direct outreach to highest‑risk individuals and a coordinated linkage to services.

Commissioners asked for clarity on whether requested funding would support implementation staff or only technical assistance, what outcome measures would be reported, who would evaluate outcomes, and what would happen if targets are not met. One commissioner said she wants quarterly public reports that include data and outcomes and noted the importance of commissioner attendance at community events tied to the program.

Chief Schultz said staff will report to the commission by letter and in person and that police will share data on firearm‑related crimes and recidivism measures tied to GBI. Commissioners signaled support for receiving more detailed outcome metrics and for discussing potential FY27 budget lines for a project manager and ongoing outreach funding.

No formal vote on funding or a resolution took place during the conference meeting; commissioners requested follow‑up materials and a plan for quarterly reporting to the commission.