(CNN) -- When most Americans think about heroic efforts that save lives and keep communities safe from gun violence, I suspect they picture someone with a badge, gun or bullet-proof vest who, with similarly equipped colleagues, busts down doors in pursuit of criminal thugs. I salute the fine officers who arrest violent criminals, but there is another kind of hero dedicated to preventing homicides and shootings. CNN Heroes called attention to him, and others like him, in a recent article. In part, it recounted the story of Tard Carter, 34, of Baltimore, who is a convicted felon turned outreach worker. Carter goes into the most violent neighborhoods in Baltimore to keep people with histories of gang involvement, criminality and violence from shooting at each other.
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Tard Carter is Baltimore outreach worker who helps settle street disputes
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Daniel Webster says programs like "Safe Streets" are effective in cutting gun violence
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Such initiatives, including Chicago's "CeaseFire," complement policing, he says
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Webster: Recent federal cuts will hurt programs' ability to curb street violence
My experience evaluating Baltimore's @placeholder program, which aims to reduce shootings among people ages 14-25, has convinced me that the answer is definitely yes.