UPDATE: A shocking trend emerges as several so-called “violence prevention” advocates have been charged with violent crimes across major U.S. cities in 2025. Reports confirm that activists in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Flint, Michigan, and Chicago face serious charges, including murder and assault, raising urgent questions about the effectiveness of their community initiatives.
In Chicago, Kellen McMiller, who was once celebrated by Governor J.B. Pritzker at a community event, has been arrested for his involvement in a deadly burglary. Just days after posing for a photo with Pritzker, McMiller allegedly robbed a Louis Vuitton store on September 11, 2025, before crashing into another vehicle, resulting in a fatality. He now faces multiple charges, including murder. His court date has been postponed due to hospitalization, according to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“It’s folks like these that we need more of doing the hard work of community violence prevention,” tweeted Governor Pritzker, referencing McMiller and others in his Peacekeepers program aimed at reducing urban crime. However, the recent turn of events raises critical concerns about the vetting processes of such initiatives. Metropolitan Peace Initiatives (MPI) has stated it will reevaluate its protocols following McMiller’s arrest, as shared by WBEZ Chicago.
In Washington, D.C., Cotey Wynn, once heralded as a success story of the Cure the Streets program, now faces charges for allegedly orchestrating a murder at a local smoking lounge in September 2023. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Wynn signaling to the gunman after the shooting, which injured three others. He is currently held without bail, with his defense arguing that evidence against him is circumstantial.
In Philadelphia, authorities have arrested Sergio Hyland, who has been charged with murdering his girlfriend, a mother of two, in a shocking crime that occurred in April 2025. Hyland, known for promoting “harm/de-escalation tactics,” was previously a criminal justice advocate. His attorney insists that the evidence against him is weak, despite multiple witnesses and surveillance footage linking him to the crime.
Meanwhile, Anthony Hall, the former leader of Rochester’s Pathways to Peace program, has begun serving a two-year sentence for assaulting a police officer during a domestic dispute in January 2025. Hall was also implicated in financial misconduct while leading a nonprofit funded to prevent crime and assist in recidivism efforts. His arrest has prompted significant scrutiny over the management of taxpayer-funded initiatives.
Adding to the alarming narrative, Leon El-Alamin, a Flint city councilman and founder of the MADE Institute, faces domestic violence and assault charges stemming from allegations of abuse against an ex-girlfriend. El-Alamin, who had his criminal record expunged under Michigan’s “clean slate” program, publicly denounced mass incarceration prior to his arrest.
These developments highlight the urgent need for accountability and reform within community violence prevention programs. As these cases unfold, the implications for public safety and community trust are significant. Activists and officials alike will be watching closely to see how these incidents influence future strategies and policies aimed at reducing crime in urban areas.
As these cases develop, the public is urged to stay informed and engaged, as the outcomes could reshape the landscape of violence prevention efforts across the nation.
