Below the Ten: Life in South LA

Peacemakers: The Interventionist

When someone gets shot in Skipp Townsend's community, he is often one of the first on the scene. Sometimes he knows the victim personally. Skipp works as a gang interventionist with the LAPD.

By David Weinberg • Mar 28, 2016 • 15m Listen

When someone gets shot in Skipp Townsend's community, he is often one of the first on the scene. Sometimes he knows the victim personally. Skipp works as a gang interventionist with the LAPD. His job is to find out why the shooting happened and to prevent retaliatory killings. Through mediation, education and working closely with activists in the community Townsend acts as a liaison between citizens and law enforcement.

Illustration by Jon Sack

Below the Ten is supported by a grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

David Weinberg
Host, Welcome to L.A.
Alexandra Garreton
Associate Producer, 'Below the Ten'

Culture

Los Angeles

Housing & Development

Below the Ten: Life in South LA

Peacemakers: The Interventionist

When someone gets shot in Skipp Townsend's community, he is often one of the first on the scene. Sometimes he knows the victim personally. Skipp works as a gang interventionist with the LAPD.

Share

Below the Ten: Life in South LA

Peacemakers: The Interventionist

When someone gets shot in Skipp Townsend's community, he is often one of the first on the scene. Sometimes he knows the victim personally. Skipp works as a gang interventionist with the LAPD.

Share