After Little Rock’s Deadliest Year, a Prosecutor Charts a New Path

Pulaski County Prosecutor Will Jones started his role in 2023 following the deadliest year for homicides in Little Rock's history. He says it was time to find a different approach to fighting crime—one that would require him to think outside of the traditional prosecutor role.

In this interview with Jones, we discuss crime trends, community trust, and a new path forward through Group Violence Intervention (GVI), an evidence-based approach he believes could be transformative for Pulaski County.

According to Jones, violent crime in Pulaski County is trending downward now. He says homicide numbers are down 44% countywide and nearly 50% in Little Rock compared to 2022. But he is quick to note that success isn’t measured by statistics alone. “It’s still a very troubling number. We’re not going to stop until we get that number to zero.”

He says we have to remember one key insight: most violent crime is committed by a small number of individuals. “It’s a very small number that is responsible for 90% of the violent crime,” he says. “If we can figure out a way to target that group—or help that group—then I think we’ll see a significant reduction in violent crime.”

From Prosecution to Prevention

He acknowledges the limitations of the traditional prosecutor’s role: “When our office gets involved, a bad thing has already happened. There’s already a family grieving.”

That’s why his office is expanding its reach beyond prosecution, convening community partners—including formerly incarcerated individuals—to work upstream and prevent violence before it happens. However, he is realistic about the strain on his office. With a high number of pending cases and staffing shortages, “the challenge is capacity.”

Group Violence Intervention: “Phenomenal”

Jones was first introduced to an early model of GVI many years ago. Since then, he’s watched the strategy evolve—and succeed. He once served as chief deputy prosecutor in Pine Bluff and saw the devastation gun violence caused. But he also saw what was possible when the city implemented GVI. Pine Bluff recently celebrated more than 500 days without a juvenile homicide. “It has absolutely changed that community,” he said. “Now they’re proud. And they should be.”

He believes the same results are possible in Pulaski County—if the community comes together. “It’s not going to work if we’re not all on the same page,” he said. “But GVI has a proven track record. It works in cities big and small.”

One of the most powerful aspects of GVI, Jones says, is its ability to rebuild trust in communities where law enforcement is often viewed with skepticism. “It gets us out into those communities. We’re sitting down. We’re explaining what is going to happen,” he said. “The myths and stereotypes on both sides get dispelled.”

He emphasizes the importance of “credible messengers”—people who’ve lived the life and turned things around—delivering the message of hope and accountability. “They have more credibility than someone like myself who’s never lived that life,” he said.

A Message to the Community

To Pulaski County residents concerned about gun violence, Jones had a clear message: “We’re all nervous about it. But I can assure people—our office is absolutely dedicated to improving quality of life. We’re working around the clock to make sure families are safe.”

And to the small group responsible for most of the shootings? “You don’t have to live your life looking over your shoulder,” Jones says. “We’ll help you find a better way.”

He maintains a deep level of personal involvement and urgency. He explains how early his office is involved after a homicide and how deeply they witness the trauma firsthand. “I go to homicide scenes in Little Rock with our chief deputy. Often we're at those scenes before the family even realizes that they lost someone.”