STOP the Violence
News & Updates-Supplement
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New For You
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Coming Event: Tuesday July 20 in Oakland
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Something You Can Do: Enter the Peace on the Streets Essay Contest
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Facts and Stats: How Crime Statistics Don't Tell The Whole Story
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Something You Can Do:
Enter The Peace In The Streets Essay Contest
Who can you encourage to participate?
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"What will it take to bring peace to the streets?" is the topic of the Peace In The Streets essay contest sponsored by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). All Allegheny County residents between ages 14 and 18 are encouraged to enter.
Essay contest entries are due by email, together with the completed Registration Form, on August 27. Writers of the best essays will will win cash prizes up to $500! Click HERE for the Registration Form.
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Assistant Chief Lavonnie Bickerstaff
Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
and NOBLE Chapter President
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Facts and Stats:
Why Crime Statistics Don't Tell The Whole Story
A July 14, 2021 CNN article discussed the need for careful analysis before reaching sweeping conclusions concerning crime trends, violence and solutions. The article concludes:
"As the United States grapples with an epidemic of gun violence and these reverberating impacts of homicide, it will take better research, consistent data collection and community-tailored approaches to understand and address the roots of violent crime. In the meantime, we can all benefit from a more critical, humane and nuanced understanding of how complicated crime data really is."
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To read the entire article, please click HERE.
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The City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Office exists to change the community narrative about violence and stop the spread of the disease of violence in the City. While we are concerned as well with the surrounding areas and will share solutions and events in those areas, we only have jurisdiction in the City. We would be pleased to share our knowledge strategies with any jurisdiction.
Table of Contents
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Something You Can Do: National Night Out: August 3, 2021: How you and your neighbors can get involved
- Solution: My Brother's Keeper Mini-Grants
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Something You Can Do: Make The Pray It, Say It, Stop It Commitment and Join the STOP the Violence Prayer Team
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Learning: Group Violence Intervention + and Conflict Resolution Training
- Facts and Stats
- Tips for You
- Coming Events
- Community Resources
Don't forget to complete the poll at the end of this Newsletter.
Please encourage the people in your networks to subscribe to the Newsletter. If anyone you forward the Newsletter to would unsubscribe, you will be unsubscribed as well (and would need to resubscribe to receive the Newsletter again). If you're interested in helping STOP the violence, please send us an email by clicking HERE.
Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh
STOP The Violence Newsletter
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Something You Can Do:
National Night Out: August 3, 2021
Have you made your plans?
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On August 3, 2021, residents everywhere are encouraged to host or attend events with their neighbors as part of National Night Out (NNO), a nationwide voluntary community-building effort that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. |
Shatara Murphy
Deputy Director, Community Affairs
Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety
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“NNO is an important time to get to know people in your community. Everyone wants their community safe. It’s a relaxed time to meet with people/neighbors and first responders who share that desire. We want lots of events to attend!” said Shatara Murphy, Deputy Director, Community Affairs, City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.
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How to get involved?
Just plan an event with one or more neighbors, check the City’s 2021 National Night Out Planning Guide and register your event on the City’s National Night Out Event Registry HERE. The deadline to register is Tuesday, July 27.
By registering, your event will be listed on the City’s registry of events so interested neighbors can locate you and so that first responders, city officials and elected representatives can stop by and say hello. (Note: City personnel will attend as many events as possible, but there’s no guarantee.) Outside of the City, see the national NNO website.
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Any kind of formal or informal event is good, from a porch party for a few people to a block party to a neighborhood-wide parade. “Over the years, I’ve seen kickball games, cookouts, parades and chess competitions, dunk tanks, local musicians displaying their talents, chili cook-offs and double-dutch competitions,"said SaferTogether Coordinator John Tokarski, one of the coordinators of Pittsburgh's National Night Out effort.
"Everything from basketball games between youth and police to face painting and cartoonists showing off their artistic skills! Anything that will bring people together, create dialogue and build friendships is good for a National Night Out event!”
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John Tokarski
SaferTogether Coordinator
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Why get involved with National Night Out?
Ten years ago, Hill District resident Marlene Jackson told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that "it's very important to get to know who your neighbors are and feel more connected," in an article reporting on National Night Out, August 3, 2011.
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Nina Gibbs
Community Engagement Specialist
Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation
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It's still true today. According to Nina Gibbs, Community Engagement Specialist at Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation, “I think that when people know you, and you know people around you, the chance for violence drops. Friendly interactions help build a support system that can provide resources and a safety net that only a tight community can provide. I also think NNO provides an opportunity for community members to realize that public safety is not just policing and allows for exposure for different sectors like firefighter and emergency medical.”
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Tokarski says that “NNO allows residents to sit back and take a full and complete look at what makes their lives so wonderful. It allows them meet their neighbors, various members of their business and faith-based communities, as well as their local first responders and how working together can create safe and loving communities. It makes everyone realize that it's a partnership...a team, that make neighborhoods great. Events such as NNO help create the opportunity for residents and neighbors to meet and engage with police, fire and ems professionals in a friendly, laid back environment where everyone gets to know and appreciate each other.” |
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Who should consider organizing an event?
Said Tokarski: “Everyone and anyone. If you care about the health and safety for yourself and your neighbors, you may want to think about organizing a NNO event! At your event you'll have a chance to talk with public safety officials who have experience and possible solutions to address some of your concerns. You will also be able to share personal information about your neighborhood with those same people so that they can better serve you and your neighbors.”
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According to Sergeant Tiffany Kline-Costa, coordinator of the Pittsburgh Police Community Engagement Office: “all Pittsburgh residents should consider organizing a National Night Out event to provide an opportunity for their neighbors and public safety personnel to share in an evening of community and celebration, a time to get to know each other in a positive casual environment.”
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“We've had faith-based communities create NNO events. We've had families as well as singles hold NNO events. Businesses, social service agencies, day-care centers, just about anyone who cares about the safety and welfare of their community and Pittsburgh could and should organize a NNO event. Staff in our office will be more than happy to help you brainstorm if needed!” To reach the City’s NNO team, click HERE to send an email.
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Sergeant Tiffany Kline-Costa
Pittsburgh Police
Community Engagement Office
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For Gibbs, “it's important for communities to gather and get to know each other. I like that there is a national night for that. I think it's important for public safety officials to know their communities as much as it is for communities to know their public safety officials.” |
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How will you participate in National Night Out in 2021?
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Attend one or more events
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Attempt to organize an event
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I am unable to participate this year
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Solutions:
16 Organizations Awarded City Grants for Community-Based Violence Prevention and Intervention Initiatives
PITTSBURGH, PA (July 7, 2021) The City of Pittsburgh’s My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative has announced it has awarded 16 mini-grants to local community groups and projects that are focused on violence reduction and intervention efforts throughout the city.
The mini-grant program offers up to $3,000 in funding to organizations that support neighborhood-centric violence prevention, intervention and street outreach activities that communities have called for and in response to a recent uptick in violence.
The sixteen organizations and programs that are receiving the MBK mini-grants vary by size, scope, location and approach. They are:
- AR3
- Homewood Community Sports
- Iron Cross Ministries
- Larimer Consensus Group
- Lawrenceville United
- Mad Dads
- Mount Washington Community Center
- Neighborhood Resilience Project
- Operation Better Block
- Ozanam
- Pittsburgh Hardball Academy
- POORLAW
- South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace
- The Foundation of Hope
- Voices Against Violence
- West End P.O.W.E.R.
“Community organizations know how to effectively approach violence reduction and prevention on a community level in their neighborhoods, and we know that $3,000 can go a long way to uplift and further these kinds of activities and initiatives,” said Mayor’s Office Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Equity Officer Majestic Lane. “We are grateful for their important leadership and partnership to provide community-based resources throughout the city.”
“We are so grateful to have heard from so many organizations and programs for this opportunity and while we could not at this time fund every idea, we are pleased to support this round of awardees. There are more resources and opportunities on the way in the coming weeks and we will continue to communicate them to all applicants and to the broader community,” said Josiah Gilliam, My Brother's Keeper Coordinator. “The stakes are high and we are leaning in with all of the applicants and the ecosystem of supports in the hopes to build peace, prevent violence and save lives. All of our young people and families deserve the chance to live in peace and the opportunity to thrive. I want to thank everyone working in this space for their efforts.”
MBK will fund the mini-grants with support from the Heinz Endowments and the POISE Foundation. Additional MBK Grant opportunities will be made available later in the summer.
The City of Pittsburgh My Brother's Keeper Office can be reached HERE.
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Something You Can Do:
Make the Pray It, Say It, Stop It Commitment in July
and Join the STOP the Violence Prayer Team
Make It, Pray It, Stop It Commitment:
Violence takes many forms -- guns, knives, fists, even words on social media. Some violence is far away in other states or countries, other violence is close to home, like violence in our streets and households.
Psalm 11:5 in the Bible, states: “The LORD tests honest people, but despises those who are cruel and love violence.” While the causes of violence are many and the solutions may vary, you can take the first step by praying against violence.
The STOP the Violence Office is encouraging concerned people to pray against violence. Can you make the Pray It, Say It, Stop It Commitment and pledge to name the problem of violence when you pray this month?
Your prayers can be part of the solution. Let’s Pray It, Say It, and Stop It!
If you can make the commitment this month, just let us know by completing the poll below.
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I will agree to the Pray It, Say It, Stop It Commitment for July 2021:
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Yes! I will pray myself and/or with my family and/or house of worship
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Join the STOP the Violence Prayer Team: |
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Stopping violence will take the efforts of the entire community – a community movement. The ultimate objective of the City’s STOP the Violence office is to convert a culture of violence into a culture of non-violence. One component of this effort is the STOP the Violence Prayer Team. |
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“I believe that prayer changes things and the more people praying for the same things, the better,” said the Reverend Cornell Jones, formerly a chaplain at Western Penitentiary and now the City’s Group Violence Intervention Coordinator.
If you, your pastor or your church would like to be part of this effort in any way, please let us know by sending an email HERE.
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Learning:
Group Violence Intervention +
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Group Violence Intervention (GVI) is a strategy to reduce shootings and homicides in urban neighborhoods by using a three pronged strategy:
- law enforcement in partnership with the community,
- informed street outreach and social services to prevent violence, and
- involved community members reinforcing community norms rejecting violence.
For additional information on GVI, including its history and rationale, see this hour-long webinar from Mayors Against Illegal Guns entitled Re-imagining Public Safety: Group Violence Intervention and Intimate Partner Intervention: Webinar. The password is: MAIGUn1versity!
Pittsburgh’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) violence prevention strategy was featured in the October STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE. The non-law enforcement elements of GVI are coordinated by Rev. Cornell Jones who can be contacted at cornell.jones@pittsburghpa.gov.
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Conflict Resolution Training
If you would like more information on violence prevention and some suggestions on ways to be involved with anti-violence activities, please click on and watch the two-hour training video to the right.
Our outreach teams include violence interrupters, but there are lots of other roles to play. After viewing the training video, please let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to be involved!
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Facts & Stats:
Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to June 30, 2021. These only cover the City, not the areas of Allegheny County which are outside of the City.
A few statistics of note:
- Both homicides and non-fatal shooting incidents are far higher than last year.
- The number of homicides in 2021 has already equaled the number for all of 2019.
- Non-fatal shooting incidents in June were the highest for one month in several years, resulting in many individuals wounded but not killed.
- Zones 2 and 6 have far more deaths than in previous years.
The causes of shootings are many, so the solutions will vary. Using a public health approach means tailoring solutions to fit the impacted population. There is no one answer. Meaningful relationships that lead to constructive dispute resolution methods are one component.
If you are interested in working to change these negative statistics, please click HERE to contact the STOP the Violence Office.
What will you do to help?
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City of Pittsburgh Police Zones |
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Tip for You:
Model Good Conflict Resolution Skills
In order to teach younger generations how to act, all adults should be modeling good conflict resolution skills in public and in private.
Share that you see a counselor or participate in a support group or support community and how it helps you deal with the challenges of everyday life and that it's not necessary to resolve conflicts by fighting or making threats in person or on social media.
If you need to find support, or for further information, please utilize the resources mentioned in this Newsletter or contact the STOP the Violence Office.
Domestic Violence Help:
Violence is not an acceptable method to resolve issues between friends or partners. If there are threats, please seek help!
When in danger, call 911 immediately.
Some other resources are in the Domestic Violence Resource Guide is reproduced below and can be accessed HERE.
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Do You Have Any Ideas?
The Stop the Violence Newsletter is produced monthly by Jay Gilmer, Coordinator of the STOP the Violence Office of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.
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June Survey Responses
Did you see this poll at the end of the June STOP the Violence Newsletter?
Thank you for responding.
What will you do?
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Previous Newsletters
Click on the dates below to find past issues of the City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Newsletter:
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Coming Events
If you are aware of an anti-violence event that is open to the public, please click HERE to send us a notice or announcement. Thank you.
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If you're looking for support, try Dr. Ford's Community Table Talk.
For more information, send an email HERE.
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For more information on the Healing Arts series at the Wellness Collective, send an email HERE or contact 412-212-6740
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Community Resources
If you are aware of an resource that can contribute to violence prevention or reducing the impact of violence, please click HERE to send us a notice or announcement. Thank you.
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1-412-330-4328
Offering world-renowned expertise in evaluating and treating children who have experienced traumatic life events or live with post-traumatic stress disorder. A program of Allegheny Health Network.
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Center for Victims
Hotline: 1-866-644-2882
Caring, professional staff is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week to respond to emergency needs of crime victims and witnesses, answer questions, and provide support. You can also call:
Valerie Dixon at the Center for Victims at 1-412-403-0194 or vdixon@venterforvictims.org.
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412-661-2802
Staff therapists and a chaplaincy department. Even if someone doesn’t have insurance, please come. Locations in East Liberty, the Hill District and Lincoln-Lemington.
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112 W. North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Offering a variety of programs to prevent incarceration, chaplaincy and pre-release to serve individuals in Allegheny County Jail and aftercare to prevent recidivism. For information on their support community for reentering citizens, their families and community members, send an email HERE.
Please call if you need help or want to help:
Adult or Youth Diversion: 412-321-3343
Allegheny County Jail Chaplaincy: 412-350-2057
Allegheny County Jail Pre-Release: 412-350-1322
Jail or Prison Aftercare: 412-321-3343
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Highmark Caring Place
620 Stanwix Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
888-224-4673
As a peer support program, the Caring Place provides an environment where children, teens and adults can receive support from others their own ages who are going through very similar experiences, such as the loss of a parent or other loved one.
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Jeremiah’s Place
6435 Frankstown Avenue
15206 (Larimer)
412-924-0726
Pittsburgh’s only crisis nursery. It provides emergency child care services for children ages 0-6 for a few hours or days based on the needs of each individual family. All services provided are free, available for 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
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412-261-1234
The Trauma Response Team cares for the acute needs of family and friends of homicide victims of gun violence across all of Allegheny County.
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Do you do anything specific to reduce personal stress and/or trauma?
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Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh
STOP The Violence Newsletter
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