Pontiac Peace Treaty

Pontiac, Michigan, is in crisis. Gun violence, homelessness, and economic instability continue to devastate our community, yet city leadership and key organizations have not provided the bold solutions needed.

The Pontiac Peace Treaty Series is about uniting the people of Pontiac to demand real action. Much like Chief Pontiac brought together tribes to resist oppression, we must now come together as a community to hold our leaders and institutions accountable.

We can no longer accept underfunded violence prevention programs, a growing homelessness crisis, and an economy that leaves people behind. This is our moment to push for change.

Gun violence in Pontiac remains one of the highest per-capita issues in Oakland County, with homicides and gang-related crime surging. The Michigan State Police reported 1,500 gun-related incidents statewide in 2023, and Pontiac is one of the most affected cities​.

The city established a Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Team, modeled after successful programs in cities like Boston and Oakland. However, in Pontiac, our leadership assembled a team that consists of only two individuals and has yet to intervene in any significant way.

No real funding or resources—GVI remains an underdeveloped program.

No active community partnerships—there’s no collaboration with local schools,

churches or organizations.

No intervention or prevention efforts—violent crime continues without effective mediation or alternative solutions for at-risk youth.

Action Plan:

Increase funding to hire a full team of trained violence interrupters.

Partner with schools, churches, and local leaders to provide intervention before

violence escalates.

Expand job training and mentorship programs to offer alternatives to crime.

The Pontiac Peace Treaty will unite residents and community leaders to demand full implementation of GVI, holding city leadership accountable.

Pontiac’s downtown is overwhelmed with unhoused individuals, yet our city has offered only temporary fixes instead of real, sustainable solutions. The problem continues to grow, and despite the presence and efforts of Grace Centers of Hope, Haven, The Lighthouse, City, County and State budgets, homelessness remains one of the most visible issues in our community.

Key Issues:

A lot of dollars spent on this issue annually and we are no closer to a solution

There's a lack of employment connecting the unhoused to sustainable job

opportunities.

Lack of mental health and addiction services leaves many without long-term recovery

support.

The reality:

Hundreds are still on the street

Many unhoused individuals don’t qualify for or complete programs.

There’s no city-wide collaboration that is bringing effective solutions.

What Pontiac Must Do Immediately:

Adopt a Housing First model like Houston, which reduced homelessness by 63% in five

years.

Create workforce development programs to integrate the unhoused into employment

Increase funding for mental health and addiction recovery services

Develop a coordinated city response

The Pontiac Peace Treaty will bring together social service organizations, housing advocates, and businesses to push for a city-wide homeless response plan that actually works.

Pontiac’s Economic Struggles regarding its 61,689 residents (2024):

Unemployment remains nearly double the national average (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

15,422 adults and over 8,000 (40% of children) children currently live below poverty in

Pontiac.

Average household median is $35,000

Action Plan:

Provide tax incentives for companies that hire Pontiac residents.

Expand trade schools and apprenticeship programs to create career pathways.

Support small businesses through city grants and low-interest loans.

The Pontiac Peace Treaty will push for policy changes that bring real investment into the community.

The Pontiac Peace Treaty isn’t just a conversation—it’s a movement. It’s time to unite residents, leaders, and organizations to demand real solutions.

Our Demands:

Full funding and proper implementation of the Group Violence Intervention Team.

A city-wide homelessness response.

Permanent housing and employment pipelines for Pontiac’s unhoused population.

Job training and economic investment to rebuild Pontiac’s workforce.

Share this message. Show up and Speak out. The future of Pontiac depends on us.

Stay committed and keep growing,

-Troy Rienstra

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