The 4th of July weekend is nearly here. While many of us are making plans involving cookouts, beaches and fireworks, some New Yorkers are getting ready to spend their weekend in a very different way.

Violence interrupters work to try to stop crime before it happens, bringing a public health approach to street violence. And while the 4th of July weekend is often a time of higher crime in New York City, many are already making plans for how to best make sure they're on the scene, to help calm things down when tempers get hot.

Dr. Jason Rodriguez directs programs at the Queens cure violence-group the King of King's Foundation. He spoke with WNYC's Morning Edition host Michael Hill.