GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) -- The City of Greensboro’s Community Safety Department is celebrating after receiving a $1.9 million grant from the Department of Justice. The grant marks the largest amount ever awarded to the department which was formed almost two and a half years ago. The money will go to expanding their Peace on Purpose initiative. Peace on Purpose is the name of a program that works to empower the community to prevent violence. It’s not more officers on the streets or more arrests. It’s people from the neighborhoods, schools, churches and more all working together to prevent violence, which reduces crime. Community Safety Department Director Latisha McNeill has spent almost two and a half years thinking about reducing violence in Greensboro. “I really care about Greensboro,” McNeill said. Two years ago, the numbers were stark: 74 homicides. Homicides dropped to 43 in 2024, but people have been alarmed by the six homicides in the first two weeks of 2025. The Greensboro Police Department is holding community meetings and investigating violent crimes with a specialized unit, but GPD Chief John Thompson is quick to admit they need community help. “Latisha McNeill ... we had the opportunity to go to the White House and speak to the White House on Greensboro’s efforts in crime prevention that are not specifically tied to policing. They are tied to the office of community safety,” Thompson said. Greensboro joined representatives from Philadelphia and Chicago. All three cities are recognized for innovative efforts to prevent violent crime. “Seems a little unusual to have little Greensboro ... be recognized at the White House for those efforts,” Thompson said. The CSD has multiple programs, and one of them involves boots on the ground worn by everyday people working with nonprofits with a passion for preventing violence.   Nonprofits are in the streets and working to teach conflict resolution and offering resources to people with issues like job loss, mental health struggles or substance abuse. The grant will enable the CSD to partner with more groups. “There are so many different aspects of needs ... Bringing in multiple partners that can address those needs is going to be key to addressing violence as a whole in our community,” McNeill said. The grant also details a plan to work with entities like schools and hospitals to refer people to the nonprofits, allowing for them to intervene in ongoing conflicts and work toward resolution and also identify high-risk people and places so they can direct resources where they are needed most. It specifically targets people ages 14 to 34.