The interrupters

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STORY

Year after year inside American cities, gang violence, gun violence and murder take place inside impoverished urban areas.

With police departments lacking resources, and community members looking for answers and help, a new breed of violence interrupter has emerged on the streets. Part mercenary, part negotiator, part mouthpiece for change.

The Interrupters are organized street crews who are working inside some of America’s most dangerous neighborhoods, intervening in gang disputes, social beefs, and on-going violent gun wars.

The work of violence interrupters is not new, it has been around since the late 1980’s when street gangs were organized, and gang leadership was able to wield power over their soldiers.

In 2022, street gangs have fractured, now there are neighborhood cliques. This work has changed, the stakes and mission is different. How do you negotiate with gangs with no leader?

The last two years inside Chicago, has been the most violent in 30 years, The Interrupters are on a mission to go to the root of the problem, one gun at-a-time.