NEW YORK – New York City is enlisting former gang members as "violence interrupters" to help keep the peace amid a summer uptick in the killings of young people.
The city funds 18 such groups that attack acts of violence like outbreaks of a disease they must keep from spreading.
They hold rallies to stoke outrage over crimes. They hang out in high-crime spots to watch out for trouble. And they step in to mediate fights.
They are part of Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio's (dih BLAH'-zee-ohz) plan to maintain historically low crime rates while also improving police relations with minority communities.
This year, they're facing a particular challenge: 16 people between the ages of 10 and 18 have been killed in the city, already matching last year's total.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
