Head of DC's violence interrupters program Delbert McFadden resigns
WASHINGTON (7News) — The man who launched Mayor Bowser’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, her violence interrupter program has announced his resignation.
Delbert “Del” McFadden, the executive director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, is expected to leave in March.
Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a statement today:
The Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) was established to implement comprehensive violence reduction strategies including increased access to public health and employment services as well as violence mediation and interruption. Director Del McFadden accepted the herculean challenge of leading the new agency and worked tirelessly to build the capacity and community that we know of ONSE today. Director McFadden’s dedication and leadership will be missed and I wish him success in his future endeavors.
SEE ALSO | Bowser, MPD launch year-long program to reduce murders, other violent crimes
McFadden’s Office declined 7 News’ request for an interview about his resignation. The timing raises questions.
It was just over two months ago that the mayor announced a major increase in the number of violence interrupters from 30 to 80.
Currently DC has two violence interrupter programs, one run by the mayor, the other by Attorney General Karl Racine. And the mayor launched another program called building blocks to target crime. The question: do they work together?
Ward 8 activist Rev Anthony Motley said he’s concerned that they collaborate
“Sit everybody at the table. And lets analyze the data. Look at what works , what’s not working and then lets come up with a collaborative response,” Motley said.
He said he believed DC’s yearly homicide numbers dropped between 1989 and 2012 from nearly 500 to 88, because people worked together.
According to DC's website, McFadden was appointed by Bowser in October 2017.
READ MORE | Mayor Bowser announces pilot program to give 132 new and expectant DC moms $900 per month
"Director McFadden is a community organizer and educator with experience in implementing evidence-based violence prevention and intervention programs across the city. During a long career at Collaborative Solutions for Communities, located in Ward 1, Mr. McFadden served as coordinator for numerous intervention programs, including Weed and Seed, Project Safe Neighborhood and the Citywide Coordinating Council on Youth Violence Prevention," the city government website says.
