What is the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program?
Launched under Mayor Lester Miller’s leadership in 2021, MVP is a community initiative aimed at reducing violent crime in Macon-Bibb County. It unites local leaders, law enforcement, and community organizations to tackle violence using evidence-based and innovative strategies.
Why was MVP created?
MVP was created in response to rising violent crime in 2020 and 2021. It addresses the root causes of violence—such as blight, mental health issues, and economic challenges—through a coordinated, comprehensive approach.
Who is involved in MVP?
More than 60 agencies, organizations, and community leaders collaborate through MVP to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in Macon-Bibb County.
What are MVP’s key initiatives?
MVP focuses on several initiatives, including:
- Blight Fight: Removing more than 750 blighted structures to date.
- Macon Mental Health Matters: Offering free mental health services in underserved areas.
- Clean Streets Matter: Collecting more than 20 million pounds of waste and cleaning up hundreds of illegal dump sites.
- Community-Based Interventions: Allocating more than $2.5 million through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia to fund violence prevention programs.
- Violence Interrupters: Preventing conflicts from escalating into violence.
How does MVP measure its effectiveness?
MVP tracks success through crime reduction, community feedback, and program participation. Grant recipients submit quarterly reports, and the Leadership Team provides annual updates to the Mayor and Commissioners. Key progress indicators include a 43% drop in homicides and a 67% reduction in youth homicides (ages 18 and under) from 2022 to 2023. Violence reduction often takes time, and immediate results may not be visible. MVP was created with the understanding that the work of violence prevention is a marathon, not a sprint.
How is MVP funded?
MVP has allocated millions in funding, which began in 2021. This funding originally included ARPA funds and has continued with funding from the Macon-Bibb County Consolidated Government. All of the funding for the community grants, administered by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, was provided by funding from Macon-Bibb County’s Consolidated Government and did not include any ARPA funds.
How is law enforcement involved in MVP?
MVP enhances law enforcement by:
- Increasing patrols
- Utilizing advanced crime-tracking technology
- Implementing evidence-based practices like focused deterrence
- Expanding community policing and adding more than 200 deputies
- Increasing starting pay and providing annual retention incentives
What are MVP’s community-led strategies?
MVP’s community-driven goals include:
- Improving education from early childhood to adulthood
- Expanding mental health services
- Offering supervised youth activities
- Supporting parents and promoting accountability
- Increasing transportation access and addressing domestic violence
Has MVP received any recognition for its work?
Yes. In January 2024, MVP received the Visionary City Award from the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia Trend magazine. In February 2024, Macon-Bibb ranked 6th in the Community Justice Action Fund’s 2023 Violence Prevention Index Report (1).pdf for its efforts, including a 43% reduction in homicides and a 67% drop in youth homicides from 2022 to 2023.
How can I get involved with MVP?
You can visit our Volunteer page or stay updated via MVP’s Facebook page, where you can also find involvement opportunities through community grant recipients.
