Office of Violence Prevention

Coordinating public safety resources and community violence intervention programs to make St. Louis neighborhoods safer.

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View Priority Areas Read About Initiatives Get Violence Prevention Resources View Procurement Opportunities

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Contact Info

Phone: (314) 299-2203

Address:
2125 Bissell Street
@ Urban League-WTC

Hours:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Please call in advance for appointments.

More Contact Info

Overview

Founded in July 2022, the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) coordinates public safety resources and community violence intervention programs to make St. Louis neighborhoods safer. The new division, funded in part from the America Rescue Plan, is designed to improve public safety outcomes using data-driven community violence intervention strategies. Board Bill 65 authorized the creation of the Office of Violence Prevention.

OVP Events

These events are coming up soon. You can also View past meetings.

Oct 15

Enter Our OVP Kickback Team Logo Design Contest! ~Entry Deadline: October 15, 2023
01:00 AM, Office of Violence Prevention
Oct 21

The OVP Kickback-Lewis Place
02:00 PM, Office of Violence Prevention

Community Events

These events are hosted by our community partners.

Sep 28

Fall Fest-Job and Resource Fair
10:00 AM, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Sep 30

The Educator's Healing House
01:00 PM, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Oct 14

2023 WellEducator STL
07:00 AM, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Oct 14

Edcamp: Building Our Learning Neighborhood
08:30 AM, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Priority Areas

Currently, the Office of Violence Prevention concentrates its efforts in the following areas:

View and download map

Initiatives

The OVP's initiatives play a central role in the City's ongoing violence intervention work.

Cure Violence Initiative
CURE Violence treats violence as an epidemic. The program aims to interrupt violence and prevent new instances of violence.
Crisis Response
The objective of the crisis response system is the early diversion of individuals in crisis or seeking crisis support using a targeted outreach and co-response with public safety personnel.
Community Violence Intervention
CVI programs focus on reducing homicides and shootings by establishing relationships with people at the center of gun violence in our communities.
Supportive Re-Entry
The Division of Supportive Re-entry shall perform the principal functions of rehabilitation, case management, and pretrial screening.

Resources

The Office of Violence Prevention works regularly with the organizations listed on these pages, and recommends using them to get the assistance you need.

Disability Help
Listings of organizations that can help people with disabilities in the St. Louis area

Domestic and Family Violence Help
Listings of organizations that can help with leaving domestic or family violence situations, finding housing, childcare, counseling, legal support, and safety plans for City of St. Louis residents.

Drop-In Centers
Drop-in centers in the City of St. Louis that provide daytime walk-in services to people struggling with mental illness, addiction, housing and other issues.

Employment Help
Resources on this page can assist City of St. Louis residents with job skills and finding employment.

Help for Veterans
Assistance for veterans in the St. Louis area who are struggling with housing, employment, finances, health and other issues.

Help for Youth
Listings of organizations that can help St. Louis City youth with housing, education, substance use, employment and other issues.

Housing Help
Resources for people in St. Louis who need assistance with temporary or transitional housing, or who need housing financial help.

Incarceration and Re-Entry Help
Resources to help those who are incarcerated or those who have recently been released from prison in the City of St. Louis, including bond assistance, housing, employment and medication help.

Legal Help
Resources for City of St. Louis residents in need of legal advice or low-cost representation.

Mental Health Help
If you are in the City of St. Louis and struggling with a mental health issue, these resources can help.

Substance Use and Opioid Use Help
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use in the City of St. Louis, these resources can help.

Crisis Hotlines

Behavioral Health Response Youth Connection Helpline: 844-985-8282; or TEXT BHEARD to 31658

The Bullet Related Injury Clinic (The BRIC): Call or text 314-624-0398

Safe Connections Crisis Helpline: 314-531-2003

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988

Peer-to-Peer Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-888-644-5886

LGBTQ Peer Support Helpline: 314-380-7774

The SPOT: 314-535-0413

Gun Violence Response Network

Have you been a victim or witness of gun violence and need help?

Dial 211 from any phone
Enter your zip code or Press 4
Press 6 to speak to a navigator about gun violence
The navigator will give you referrals and send your information to the Crime Victim Center for follow-up and more help.

Services Include:

Counseling
Help with MO Crime Victims' Compensation applications for financial help
Help connecting with police, courts, or corrections
Other resources

How You Can Help Cancel Gun Violence

Related News

Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Announces New Action on Gun Safety Legislation, Holds Listening Session with Gun Violence Survivors, Law Enforcement Leaders
Learn of new efforts to enact commonsense gun safety legislation
Press release | Office of the Mayor,Board of Aldermen,Office of Violence Prevention | 08/22/2023
The Office of Violence Prevention Kicks Off its Partnership between National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and Everytown's Be SMART Program in Gravois Park
NOBLE Executives and Be SMART Program to Provide Palm Cards on Secure Gun Storage and Free Gun Locks for Distribution
Press release | Office of Violence Prevention | 05/26/2023
City of St. Louis Announces Summer Fun STL Youth Programming Sites, Summer Youth Job Opportunities
Summer 2023 safe and fun activities and job opportunities for St. Louis youth
Press release | Office of the Mayor,Office of Violence Prevention,Division of Recreation,St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment | 05/25/2023
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Signs Bill to Establish Missouri’s First Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot, Expand Health Care Access, and Create Opportunities for Youth
Jones announced today the signing of the Working Families Bill (BB116) to support St. Louisans, recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Press release | Office of the Mayor,Office of Violence Prevention,Board of Aldermen | 12/28/2022
Department of Health and Office of Violence Prevention Offer Mental Health Resources
Resources and organizations prepared to assist anyone with mental health needs.
Press release | Behavioral Health Bureau,Office of the Mayor,Office of Violence Prevention | 10/27/2022
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones To Sign Bill to Improve Public Safety, Creating Office of Violence Prevention and Dedicating Nearly $14 Million to Community, Youth Programming
The Office of Violence Prevention will help coordinate resources across city departments
Press release | Office of the Mayor,Office of Violence Prevention | 07/28/2022
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Joins Everytown for Gun Safety to Commemorate Black History Month as City Moves Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Program Expansion
The Black History Month video emphasizes how St. Louis bucked national crime trends, witnessing a 25 percent reduction in homicides.
Press release | Office of the Mayor,Office of Violence Prevention | 02/28/2022
Comptroller Green supports selection of Cure Violence partners for Walnut Park and Dutchtown sites
With Board of Estimate & Apportionment approval, selection of partners will allow the violence interruption program to begin.
Press release | Office of the Comptroller,Office of Violence Prevention | 07/15/2020