When four gunshots rang out one summer in Brownsville, a group of people ran toward the sound to prevent any bloodshed — but they weren’t police officers.
This group, known as violence interrupters, is part of an experiment designed to place community members on the front lines, deescalating situations that law enforcement would typically respond to first.
They are the focus of “Policing Our Own,” a forthcoming documentary by screenwriter and filmmaker Dante DeBlasio. DeBlasio, 26, says he wanted to shine a light on these violence interrupters to showcase the power of alternative approaches to reaching the community.
“It’s not just about community members responding to calls for help; it’s about offering on-the-ground resources too — everything from access to therapy to helping people register to vote,” DeBlasio says in an interview with theGrio.
In the 18-minute documentary, DeBlasio highlights how NYPD officer Terrell Anderson developed the Brownsville Safety Alliance (BSA) program, which allows violence interrupters to take over certain police calls.
“A police officer came up with what most people would consider a very radical public safety experiment,” DeBlasio tells theGrio.
The film primarily follows Dushoun “Bigga” Almond, a violence interrupter who turned his life around after serving time for armed robbery. Almond uses the credibility he earned on the streets to become a trusted figure in the community, defusing conflicts with his larger-than-life personality and genuine concern for others.
In the film’s most moving scenes, Almond leverages his charisma to deescalate tense situations, showing empathy and understanding.
“Violence interrupters are often people who were formerly incarcerated or gang members who may not have access to the traditionally ‘desirable’ jobs in society,” says DeBlasio. “Many don’t have college degrees, but if you can provide them with jobs that allow…
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