Knoxville Ends Partnership with Turn Up Knox Amid Controversy

Community meeting focused on safety and violence prevention in Knoxville.

News Summary

The city of Knoxville has officially terminated its contract with the nonprofit Turn Up Knox, citing management issues and financial mismanagement as key reasons. Despite a decline in crime rates during their partnership, communication breakdowns and budget concerns prompted city officials to make this surprising decision. Founder Denzel Grant expressed disappointment, while city authorities pointed to ongoing administrative disputes and a lack of transparency. The future of violence prevention efforts in Knoxville now hangs in the balance as residents and experts anticipate new strategies moving forward.

Knoxville Severs Ties with Turn Up Knox: What Happened?

In a surprising move, the city of Knoxville has decided to terminate its contract with the nonprofit organization Turn Up Knox. This announcement came on February 7, 2025, and is making waves in the community, particularly among those invested in violence prevention efforts. So, what led to this decision, and what does it mean for the safety of Knoxville residents?

The Background

Turn Up Knox was brought on board in 2022 as a part of Knoxville’s initiative to tackle the growing concerns over gun violence. The city had seen a troubling rise in violent incidents, prompting officials to seek external help for violence prevention and intervention programs. The partnership initially seemed promising, and hopes were high for a safer community.

Crime Rates Show Improvement

Knoxville Police Department indicate a decline in crime rates for 2024. Homicides and non-fatal shootings saw a marked reduction, signaling that some strategies may have been effective in curbing violence. Yet, under the surface, issues were brewing between the city and the nonprofit organization.

Management Issues Surface

termination for convenience,” pointing to various management problems that arose during the second year of the contract. One major concern was Turn Up Knox’s financial planning. The nonprofit exceeded its budget by a whopping $100,000 without a clear path to secure extra funding. This funding mismanagement led to a depletion of their available resources before fulfilling the contract obligations.

The city even stepped in to assist Turn Up Knox in securing two grants despite these financial hiccups. However, problems only escalated in the third year, where city leaders highlighted concerns about timelines for submitting reports, attending meetings, and the overall transparency regarding taxpayer money.

Communication Breakdown

Founder’s Reaction

City’s Stance

Contract and Funding Insights

$450,000, and they had received a total of $934,663 since beginning their work with the city. As the partnership progressed, failure to submit necessary reports on time even forced Turn Up Knox to suspend its operations temporarily, creating a significant disruption in their services.

Moving Forward

As residents follow these developments, many are left wondering what the next steps will be for both Turn Up Knox and the city as they forge ahead after this challenging chapter.