The B.U.C.K. Squad provides an immediate response to the critical need of reducing gun violence in Charlottesville, keeping our city safe. We are the only gun violence prevention/de-escalation program of its kind in the city addressing conflict through violence interruption.
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The Buck Squad began canvassing South First Street in late December 2020 following four homicides in the area. In February 2021, we received training in violence interruption from Cure Violence Global, a global organization that uses an evidence-based, public health approach to gun violence by attempting to detect and interrupt conflicts before they escalate, identify and treat high risk individuals (those most likely to commit and/or be victimized by gun violence), and change social norms. This training enabled us to focus our efforts and address community needs professionally. From our inception on South First Street until April 2024, there have been no homicides or shootings in the area under our watch.
Unfortunately, due to funding cuts from the city and challenges with the housing authority, we found it necessary to relocate our operations to Greenstone, another current hotspot. Since our arrival, there have been no shootings here. While shootings have increased in Charlottesville overall, they have not occurred in the areas where we operate. Our data validates our efforts, yet true success will only come when we can address every hotspot in the city — that’s our goal.
Beyond preventing potential gun violence, we also aim to tackle the underlying trauma affecting these communities. Collaborating with other organizations, we provide resources because we recognize that gun violence often stems from profound trauma, deeply rooted and generational. This struggle requires involvement from all sectors of society. Today, we feel better equipped and trained to extend our impact even further.