AURORA, Colo. — A program in Aurora is trying to keep young people alive by connecting them with resources in the community before they resort to violence. One year in, the strategy has already identified more than 100 youths who need help.
Aurora SAVE (Standing Against Violence Every Day) launched in September 2023. It's based on a group violence intervention strategy model that's been effective in other cities. Aurora Police (APD), Youth Violence Prevention Program (YVPP) and community organizations partner together to intervene with high-risk groups and individuals. The goal is to prevent future crimes.
APD identifies people who are most at-risk for violence based on the intelligence telling the department the person is likely to pull a trigger or become a victim of gun violence.
The department began noticing people involved in shootings kept getting younger.
"We have seen not only here locally but throughout the country, a significant decrease in the age of individuals that are handling guns," said Aurora Police Capt. Mike Hanifin.
APD knew they couldn't do this alone. After identifying those most at-risk for violence, law enforcement works with community partners and outreach groups to connect youth to services.
"So maybe a youth needs a job placement or development organization or maybe they need counseling to process the trauma that they've dealt with," said Lisa Battan, Intervention Programs Division Manager in Aurora.
As of September 2024, the city has created custom notifications for 107 young people to provide them access to services such as job training, housing, education, peer support groups, and substance abuse counseling. The average age of candidates is 17.
The program is focusing on an age group between 13 and 25 years old.
"We know that focusing only on incarceration and arrest isn't the answer," said Capt. Hanifin. "This was too important to get it wrong. We're talking about young lives and we're talking about guns and we're trying to prevent the next tragedy."
Community partners are working together rather than in silos to achieve the same goal - keep kids alive.
"We're working on getting everybody in the same room. A lot of the times these different organizations know that same kid so how are going to serve that kid in a way that makes the most sense," said Courtney Lange, Youth Violence Prevention Program Admin in Aurora.
This structure is providing a path away from risky behavior toward positive relationships.
"While we may not accept or like their behavior, we still recognize that they're a value part of the community and really just giving that message. We want you to be safe alive and free," Battan said.