Office of Violence Prevention faces loss of programs as ARPA funding deadline approaches

Four years after its founding, St. Louis’ Office of Violence Prevention is still working to address the causes of violence — and trying to stop it before it happens. In November, the city named the office’s new director, Marvin Teer, Jr. A former judge and prosecutor, Teer shares some of his experiences from three decades in the criminal justice system. He also addresses the likely impact of losing access to millions of dollars in federal funding when the American Rescue Plan Act expires at the end of the year. Teer says the change will affect more than 40 programs: “Our mission will go on,” he says, “but just in a very limited, or, at least in a reduced manner.” Joining Teer is James Watson, director of the nonprofit Show Me Peace, who discusses examples of how violence can be interrupted and how OVP creates an “ecosystem” of programs addressing its root causes.