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New Mexico's largest city is expanding a program aimed at reducing violence by promoting peace, safety and community engagement.

Albuquerque is consistently ranked among U.S. cities with the highest crime rate. To reverse the trend, the city has hosted "Summer of Nonviolence" campaigns the past two years, featuring 20 events that attracted nearly 15,000 attendees, including youths, adults and families.

Jeffery Bustamante, the city's community outreach manager, said the program's success prompted a commitment to year-round activities.

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"We firmly believe that having fun, safe activities for our community is a violence-prevention strategy," he said, "and we love offering our parents the ability to send their kids home tired and full."

Bustamante said the program draws upon evidence-based strategies that other urban settings have used to support youth employment programs, educational opportunities, community engagement and improved mental health.

New events designed to empower residents and create safer neighborhoods will be hosted in Albuquerque and across Bernalillo County. Other U.S. cities that have introduced nonviolence campaigns include Austin, Texas; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Wilmington, Delaware.

Going forward, Bustamante said Albuquerque's new initiative will be called "Seasons of Nonviolence" and offer a variety of assistance based on people's needs.

"When we do the campaign, individuals fill out the survey and we ask them if they need any supports – whether that's rental assistance, food boxes, maybe a therapeutic referral," he said, "and over 300 individuals did ask us for that."

He said the program relies on the six principles of nonviolence advocated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., first outlined in his 1958 book, "Stride Toward Freedom." Those who participate in the local program must sign a nonviolence commitment pledge, attend youth community events and agree to volunteer in the community.