What Tucson does to reduce gun violence

Tucson is using both enforcement and youth programs to address gun violence. Tucson Police say 46 percent of homicide suspects last year were 25 or younger.

The city’s VIVA program identifies areas with high levels of gun violence and directs focused enforcement there. City officials say gun crimes fell by 75% to 80% in the four areas where the program was used.

A separate effort called Scaling Safety helps coordinate and fund organizations working to keep young people from turning conflicts into violence. Boys to Men offers mentoring at 24 local schools, giving students a place to discuss emotions, conflicts and potential triggers.

Some of the work is led by people who have faced similar situations themselves. Isaac Durgen now works to calm angry young men, drawing on his own experience as a teenager when he and others armed themselves during a neighborhood conflict.