Dozens of Racine residents urged the Common Council on Oct. 30 to keep funding the citys community-based violence intervention efforts, saying the Office of Community Safetys programs have reduced shootings and connected at-risk residents with jobs, counseling and other services.

Speakers at the citys 2026 budget public hearing recounted personal experiences with the program and detailed claimed outcomes. "Racine's much needed violence intervention and prevention initiative has resulted in a 52% decrease in shots fired and a 21% decrease in nonfatal shootings here in Racine," said James Poplowski, a resident who described attending a Baltimore-based documentary and local panel on the strategy. Multiple other speakers described the programs trauma-informed outreach, youth employment and case-management components and asked the council to sustain funding.

The public'commenters included former public health nurses, nonprofit peer advocates and people who said they had participated in the Community Violence Intervention program. "This program helped me build structure, patience, and support when I didn't have much needed," said Starsius Barnes, who identified himself as a program participant. Several other speakers described community healing events and said the program builds trust between residents and city services.

Why it matters: The Department of Community Safety was created with a mix of grant money and city budgeting decisions last year. The departments work sits at the intersection of public safety, public health and social services; continued investment could affect policing workloads, jail admissions and community supports.

Council action and context: During the afternoons ordinance session, council members debated dozens of proposed code changes bundled in the mayors budget packet and whether those proposals should go to standing committees or be decided in the committee of the whole. Late in the meeting, aldermen approved an ordinance change (0027-25) that allows the city to cover any shortfall in the departments budget with general fund dollars if grant funding is not sufficient. The chair called the vote and the motion passed by voice vote.

What supporters said: Diane Lang, a former public health nurse and past elected official, told the council that violence is a public health issue and said the program pairs mental-health supports with community outreach. "Part of stopping intentional harm in our community is healing pain," she said. Other speakers, including community organizers and a former incarcerated person now working in peer support, described the programs work with young men at high risk of involvement in violence.

What opponents and skeptics said: Some council members asked detailed procedural questions about where ordinance changes should be considered and pressed for clearer budget mechanics and implementation details for the department. The mayor and department leadership said they had proposed ordinance language and budget allocations to ensure continuity of services.

Next steps: Under the adopted change, the council can now appropriate city funds to the department as part of the annual budget process if grants are not available. The council has scheduled additional budget and ordinance votes in early November; departments and aldermen said future amendments could refine funding levels and implementation details.

Sources: Public hearing testimony Oct. 30; city budget book; council roll calls and recorded motions.