The founder of OG's Against Violence, Clifford Ryan, is sharing his thoughts on a program recently proposed by the mayor's office in an effort to reduce gun violence in Syracuse.

“This is about offering an avenue for you to turn your life around," said Ryan.

Since 2015, Ryan has worked to stop gun violence in Syracuse. He does it in what he calls a “boots on the ground” approach.

“I go directly out into the community, reaching out to high-risk individuals and I directly stop shootings, stabbings, and fights," he said.

Ryan believes he’s stopped dozens of shootings, hundreds of stabbings and more than a thousand fights. He says there should be more people on the streets trying to stop violence. If it passes, Ryan would be involved in the Syracuse Safer Streets program that was proposed by Lateef Johnson-Kinsey, the director of the mayor’s office to Reduce Gun Violence.

“I think it can have a strong impact on the city," Ryan said.

The program will try to reduce gun violence with peaceful conflict management, mentoring and therapy. If the people involved meet all the requirements, including no criminal behavior, they’ll receive $100 a week. The program has received criticism for paying “high-risk” individuals, but Ryan says it’s much deeper than that.

“The program isn’t about paying individuals," Ryan said. "The program is about offering incentives for individuals to turn their lives around."

Before proposing it, Johnson-Kinsey talked to nearly 100 people in the city and beyond to come up with an assessment of violence in Syracuse. The report says the primary cause of gun violence is a conflict between gangs and groups of young people that lead to shootings. With his boots on the ground approach Ryan has had success but he believes an investment from the city would help even more.

“If the proper resources are put in place we can have success at an even greater rate," he said.

The mayor’s office is looking for support from the city council, but some of them have concerns.

"We’re going to be paying stipends to people that have been involved in criminal activity and members of the gangs," said Syracuse common counselor Patrick Hogan. "I don’t know what kind of message that sends to the hundreds of good kids in this community that work in places like Wegmans and Burger King.”

Ryan hopes the people that share those concerns have an open mind.

“Do your research," said Ryan. "Do your research on the program before you judge the program. Because we have to do something. We can’t just not do anything, we have to find solutions.”