On February 19, 2025, Mayor Lester Miller, Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) Coordinator Jeremy Grissom, Community Foundation of Central Georgia, and other MVP partners were presented with a resolution by state representatives. The resolution recognizes the MVP program for its impactful efforts in reducing violent crime in Macon-Bibb County and commending its community-wide collaboration and innovative approach to violence prevention.
House Resolution 183, which you can read here, was sponsored by Representatives Tangie Herring of the 145th, Floyd Griffin of the 149th, Dale Washburn of the 144th, Miriam Paris of the 142nd, Anissa Jones of the 143rd, and Robert Dickey of the 134th.
“It is truly an honor to see our initiative receive recognition by our state leaders,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “MVP has done so much for so many, thanks to hundreds of people who have invested time and money into our kids. While we have already seen an impact, this is only the beginning.”
The resolution goes on to state that MVP has become a model for effective violence prevention by combining law enforcement-led efforts with public health and community-led initiatives. 80 MVP community grants, totaling more than $2.5 million, have been awarded to 52 local non-profits to implement impactful programs providing mentorship, educational opportunities, and resources to at-risk youth and their families.
About Macon Violence Prevention
Macon Violence Prevention is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders and representatives from more than 20 agencies, organizations and departments.
This past summer, 25 organizations announced more than $800,000 in grant money to 25 non-profit organizations. Since the inception of MVP in 2021, $1,685,000 has been awarded to 40 different organizations’ missions.
Though MVP is still fairly new in its implementation, it has already helped the community realize significant results in becoming safer. From 2022 to 2023, Macon-Bibb had a nearly 43% reduction in homicides, from 70 to 40. The reduction in homicides for children (those 18 years old and younger) went from 15 in 2022 to 5 in 2023 – which is a 66.7% reduction in just one year.
While other cities in Georgia and around the country also had a decline in their homicide rate, Macon-Bibb County’s 43% far surpassed them. Atlanta had a 21% decline, Columbus a 12%, Savannah a 13%, Mobile, Alabama a 21%, and Jackson, Mississippi a 14%.
The MVP program operates under the guidance of the MVP Strategic Plan, which was introduced in June of 2021. Created by community stakeholders and violent crime experts, this strategic plan combines data and research with community feedback to implement proven solutions that reduce violent crime and strengthen the community over time.