Crime Intervention Program celebrates 2 years, expands services to community

JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) - For two years now, the Johnson County Community Violence Intervention Program has been working to prevent crime in the community before it happens.

Friday the county held a celebration in honor of the anniversary. The event also welcomed a new team member, Community Outreach Worker Marques Brooks. He’s not new to Johnson County, but new to this position. He will work specifically to expand the program’s reach via mentoring, youth engagement, and community programming. According to leaders with the program, he will go out in the community and make connections with individuals.

“He is going to be responsible for the ‘warm hand-off’ outreach. He’s going to be working directly with the folks we are focusing on who are most likely to be both victims of gun violence and perpetrators of gun violence and intervene in that before crime happens,” said Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmermann Smith.

The program began in 2023, spearheaded by Zimmermann Smith and led by Community Violence Prevention Coordinator Jes Lang. Over the past two years, Lang has worked to build partnerships with law enforcement, local organizations, and residents to reduce community violence.

Funding for this program and these roles comes from the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. Zimmermann Smith says she and many others hope they will continue to contribute to this program, for years to come.

Officials say the goal is simple - safer neighborhoods across Johnson County.