Lt. James Lewis told the city council today that the program requires officers to establish a relationship with gang leaders themselves, to offer them a way out.
"Create opportunities for them using, law enforcement, social programs and community leaders to create a future that can get them off the streets," he says.
Chief Renee Hall says it also calls for law enforcement to talk to those connected to the perpetrators.
"If we get a mother to convince her son, who shot someone to turn himself in, that helps the police and gets the perpetrator off the streets. It also gives the victim’s family," Hall says.
Cities like Chicago, Boston and Oakland have implemented this program, and have seen a drop in crime.