Harrisburg City Council Policy Work Session 9-29-2026

The Harrisburg City Council held a policy work session on September 29, 2026, focused on the City’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program. Staff described its law enforcement, social services, and community components, including incident reviews, custom notifications, outreach, and a call-in held August 11 with eight voluntary participants. The next call-in is planned for April 2027. Council members discussed staffing challenges, recruiting credible messengers with relevant lived experience, community partnerships, data and public reporting, and the need to strengthen follow-up and evaluate results. Staff said the former ten-year criminal-history disqualification was revised to allow flexibility, while other legal and clearance requirements still apply; the strategic plan remains in draft form.

Funding was a central operational topic: GVI is currently supported through a Dauphin County VIP grant administered through PCCD, totaling $950,000, of which just under $550,000 is allocated to Harrisburg. The city’s police budget has taken over funding for the project manager and support and outreach coordinator; credible messenger positions remain grant-funded, with the city reimbursed by the county. The program can support up to four part-time positions, and officials discussed a possible 2027 budget line, but no new appropriation, contract award, or procurement approval was made at this session. Council offered to support outreach and invited members to observe the team’s weekly meetings. The only motion recorded was to adjourn.