Violence Reduction Leadership Team

In March 2023, Mayor Indya Kincannon convened a citywide Leadership Committee to guide and monitor Knoxville’s violence reduction efforts. This cross-sector team includes more than 25 leaders representing law enforcement, public health, city government, community-based organizations, faith communities, and individuals personally impacted by violence. Chaired by the Mayor, the Leadership Committee meets monthly to engage in shared learning, align strategies, and ensure accountability across agencies and initiatives. This collective leadership model reflects the city’s commitment to collaboration, transparency, and long-term change.

---

Project TLC

As the Office of Community Safety continues to research and implement best practices, a growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of place-based strategies. Place-based strategies are a holistic approach to reducing violence by focusing resources and attention on the neighborhoods where violence is most concentrated. Rather than solely relying on reactive interventions, this approach seeks to prevent violence by changing the underlying conditions that allow it to occur, such as blight, limited access to resources, and social disconnection. The goal is to create stable, thriving communities where safety is the norm and residents have access to the support they need.

Project TLC (Tender Loving Care), a term coined by Mayor Indya Kincannon, represents Knoxville’s place-based strategy to violence reduction. Each zone brings together a coalition of partners, including the Office of Community Safety, Knoxville Police Department, Neighborhood Codes Enforcement, community-based organizations, and, most importantly, residents themselves.

Launched on November 1, 2023, the initiative began in the East District, a district that was plagued by 24 homicides in 2022. Project TLC focuses on a 7.5-block area of the East District where data shows the highest concentration of fatal and nonfatal shootings. Since its inception, that area has experienced only one homicide and zero nonfatal shooting victims, becoming a blueprint for expansion into the West and Central Districts. On June 9, 2024, Project TLC expanded to include Western Heights and Montgomery Village—both KCDC properties that meet the same high-risk criteria. 

Project TLC prioritizes intentional community engagement, hosting monthly zone meetings that provide a regular forum for residents to express concerns, offer ideas, and collaborate on neighborhood improvements. From those meetings came the idea for Project TLC Community Bashes. These Community Bashes offered free food, resources, and activities while connecting residents to local service providers and city departments. These events served more than 750 residents in the 3 zoned areas.

To ensure efforts remain community-driven, surveys are administered to identify the services residents want and need, further aligning resources with local priorities and promoting long-term stability and resilience. 

Learn more: 

- Project TLC brings resources, connections to Montgomery Village, Western Heights (June 2025)
- Reducing Violence, Building Communities (January 2025)
- Violence Reduction Plan 
- Community Safety Resources & FAQ
- Project TLC zone maps [PDF]

---

Street Outreach

Street Outreach is a proactive approach to community violence. The initiative uses trained interrupters to de-escalate conflict, provide mediation, and build supportive, trusting relationships with those at highest risk of perpetuating violence and/or being victims of violence. When implemented correctly, street outreach can be effective. Beyond mediating conflict, interrupters connect those at the center of violence to education, housing, cognitive behavioral therapy, workforce training, and other social services, which can ultimately put them on a better, safer path. The City of Knoxville remains committed to the effective implementation of Street Outreach, investing $450k for the last three budget cycles.

---

On My Block

The On My Block Community Investment is a funding opportunity that empowers Knoxville residents to build community, promote connection, and cultivate trusting relationships through neighborhood-led block parties.

The On My Block Community Investment will provide residents with the resources needed to organize inclusive events that celebrate the positive aspects of their community while creating safe, welcoming spaces for everyone. 

Learn More

---

Violence Reduction Provider Network

An integral part of reducing community violence is ensuring that those at the highest risk, whether perpetrating violence or being a victim of violence, have access to resources that can change the trajectory of their life. This requires more than offering a service provider list; it demands a coordinated, intentional, and streamlined approach that meets individuals where they are and connects them to the right opportunities at the right time.

In the spring of 2024, the Office of Community Safety launched the Violence Reduction Provider Network, a transformative initiative aimed at reimagining how we define and support “high-risk” individuals. The network brings together a coalition of service providers, each focused on addressing the critical needs of individuals most impacted by violence. This includes services for mental health, reentry, employment, housing, mentorship, and more. By fostering collaboration and communication among these providers, the network eliminates redundancies in service, addresses gaps, and creates a clear path to help individuals access life-changing resources.

The Provider Network will also evaluate service delivery, ensuring that interventions are effective, culturally responsive, and tailored to the unique needs of Knoxville’s communities. 

We are grateful to the members of the VR Provider Network.

• C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Ministries
• Family Lifeline
• Covenant Counseling
• Helen Ross McNabb
• Community Mediation Center
• River Valley Health
• Knoxville Area Urban League
• Knox County Community Service Program

---

National Youth Violence Prevention Week

National Youth Violence Prevention Week is a nationwide initiative that raises awareness and promotes strategies to prevent youth violence through education, community engagement, and positive youth development.

Learn More