A recent case in Chicago is shining a harsh light on the idea of replacing police officers with so-called “violence interrupters” or “peacekeepers.” These programs, backed by progressive leaders in large cities, aim to prevent crime by using people from the community to mediate conflicts before they turn violent. But recent events suggest that the people hired for these programs may not always be part of the solution.
In one case, Jamari Edwards, a 23-year-old “anti-violence worker,” was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for a series of violent carjackings in August 2022. According to federal prosecutors, Edwards carjacked three people in a single week. In one case, he shot a man in the leg during a robbery outside a Dunkin’ Donuts, then robbed him again after the shooting. Edwards had been hired to help reduce violence in Chicago. Instead, he added to it.
This case raises serious questions about the effectiveness of these programs and the people chosen to lead them. The idea behind hiring peacekeepers is to use people with street credibility to prevent crimes before they happen. But when those same people turn out to be part of the criminal activity, it undermines the entire approach.
And Edwards is not the only one causing concern. On the same day he was sentenced, seven men were charged in a deadly smash-and-grab robbery in downtown Chicago. One of the suspects, Keller McMillan, was also a “peacekeeper” hired under the same anti-violence program. The group allegedly stole between $500,000 and $1 million in merchandise from a luxury store and fled in multiple vehicles. During the police chase, one of the vehicles collided with another car, killing a 40-year-old man on his way to work.
McMillan was not driving the car that caused the crash, but he is facing serious charges, including murder, theft, and fleeing justice. He also had a long arrest record and was wanted out of state at the time of his arrest.
These examples highlight a larger problem with how some cities, including Chicago, are responding to crime. Instead of strengthening police departments, leaders like Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker have invested millions of taxpayer dollars in programs that aim to reduce violence without law enforcement. In fiscal year 2024, Illinois planned to spend $30 million on this type of program.
Supporters of these programs say they aim to address the root causes of crime, like poverty and lack of opportunity. Tio Hardiman, the founder of one such group, said he wants to hire 1,000 more violence interrupters to help cut gun violence in half. But with current participants getting involved in violent crimes themselves, it’s hard to see how that goal will be met.
The core issue is accountability. Police officers go through background checks, training, and are held to professional standards. While not perfect, the system has mechanisms to deal with misconduct. Peacekeepers, on the other hand, often have little oversight. Some may even have criminal histories, making it difficult to trust them with public safety responsibilities.
These recent incidents also raise questions about how taxpayer money is being spent. If peacekeepers are being paid as much as $60,000 a year and then committing crimes on the side, the public has a right to ask whether this is a good use of funds. More importantly, they have a right to feel safe — and to know that the people hired to prevent violence aren’t making the problem worse.
As cities like Chicago continue to deal with high crime rates, the failure of these programs could have broader political consequences. Governor Pritzker has been floated as a possible presidential candidate in 2028. Cases like these may follow him onto the national stage and serve as a warning about what happens when ideology overrides common sense on public safety.
Ultimately, the idea of solving crime without police sounds good in theory. But in practice, it requires strict standards, real oversight, and a willingness to hold everyone accountable. Without those, programs meant to prevent violence may end up doing the opposite.
