January 8, 2021

STOP the Violence News & Updates

Our purpose is to change the community narrative about violence and stop the spread of the disease of violence in the City of Pittsburgh. While we are concerned as well with the surrounding areas and will share solutions and events in those areas, we only have jurisdiction over the City. This Newsletter contains lots of information on ways that YOU can get involved with violence prevention and community safety initiatives. You will also find a report on an Outreach success, some facts from 2020 and some encouragement from Chief Schubert. Please share this Newsletter with people in your networks. We would like everyone in the City to see it because it will take all of us speaking and working together to STOP the Violence! We are especially searching for churches, mosques, synagogues and any other houses of worship that want to play an active role in violence prevention efforts. If you're interested in helping, click HERE. Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh STOP The Violence Newsletter

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Solutions: SaferTogether Coordinators

Connecting You With Public Safety Resources & Personnel Two important resources for the public in encouraging positive and constructive relationships between Department of Public Safety personnel and community members are its SaferTogether Coordinators – John Tokarski and Ian Reynolds.  A critical component of public safety and violence prevention is the ongoing relationship of community members with their local police and other public safety bureaus.  Without active information sharing and cooperation, police cannot fully assist community organizations and residents or respond properly to community concerns or problems.  The Department of Public Safety, through its SaferTogether Coordinators strives to provide outreach and assistance to the residents and businesses of Pittsburgh. SaferTogether Coordinators work at building and strengthening relationships, partnerships, and communication between the City’s Public Safety Zone Councils, associated community-based public safety structures, other various public safety bureaus, and also within the neighborhoods they serve. Additionally, SaferTogether Coordinators examine methods and proven approaches in order to better respond to the needs and service expectations of under-served communities and populations in the City of Pittsburgh. According to Shatara Murphy, Assistant Director for Community Affairs for the Department of Public Safety “John and Ian do the behind the scenes work that is vital to supporting the Department of Public Safety. They continue to find innovative ways to identify and meet community needs and concerns. Their dedication to relationship building and their knowledge of our capacity is a large part of their value to the residents of the City. Please get to know them!” Please share your upcoming activities and events with John and Ian. They may be able to assist you in connecting with city resources or personnel who can assist you. Their contact information is below.

Solutions: John Tokarski, SaferTogether Coordinator

Service, Accountability, Assistance & Empathy

John Tokarski joined the Department of Public Safety in 2014 as a SaferTogether Coordinator, although he has served the City for a total of 19 years and has won numerous awards for his work. He is now responsible for community outreach and education in police zones 1, 4 and 6. In his current position, he has established a number of programs and events that have grown relationships between the public and our public safety bureaus, especially the police.  In the fall of 2014, he served on a committee to establish the Emergency Response Technology curriculum within the Pittsburgh Public Schools Career & Technical Education Division which prepares high school students for careers in law enforcement, firefighting and emergency services. The ERT program is offered at Westinghouse Academy. In 2018, he partnered with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Riverhounds soccer team, Chick-fil-a and the Pittsburgh Police to offer a whiffle ball tournament. The event engaged children from around the City playing whiffle ball with police officers and firefighters from their communities. It was a fun and exciting event as none of the children and youth who participated, and many of their parents, knew anything about the game of whiffle ball! With families being so heavily impacted by drugs and alcohol, he has produced multi day workshops for mothers battling addiction in partnership with Light of Life Ministries. The various workshops offered these mothers a variety of subjects, including financial management, nutrition, domestic violence prevention, career opportunities, resources for families and the how to conduct CPR. At the end of the workshops, women who participated and successfully attended the classes had their children rewarded with new bikes or computer tablets. Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich said “John has dedicated his career to serving the residents of the City of Pittsburgh. He has worked to cultivate strong relationships with community members, building trust between the Department of Public Safety and City residents. His experience in community outreach is immeasurable and his contributions to the Office of Community Affairs continue to improve the City of Pittsburgh.” John grew up in Bloomfield, attended Central Catholic High School and studied Journalism & Communications at Point Park University before attending law school at Duquesne University. He has resided in Hazelwood with his wife Lizann for 35 of their 38 years of marriage where they raised three fine children. Alexa Tokarski-Jones is married and serves as the Principal of Carmalt K-8 School in Brookline. John Jr. is a chemical engineer with Intel Corporation in Portland, Oregon. Leeza Marie is a Human Resource manager for Kraft Heinz in Chicago. Donna Williams and John Tokarski at the Citizens Police Academy

John Tokarski, SaferTogether Coordinator Prior to rejoining the City in 2014, John worked in print and radio news for the Pittsburgh Business Times and the Sheridan Broadcasting Network and managed a Main Street economic development program in a Pittsburgh suburb. During his previous service to the City, he served as a Special Projects Manager for Mayor Tom Murphy and Mayor Bob O’Connor, including supervising the long-term management and day-to-day operations of the U.S. Justice Department funded Weed & Seed crime prevention/community development program.    Twenty years ago, he assisted in organizing the Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA), an educational outreach program that provides adults with a 15-week long opportunity to experience the education and classes that Pittsburgh police cadets undergo in their preparation to become Pittsburgh police officers.  Seeing that there was a need to build stronger relations between police officers and adolescents, he helped design a similar program for high school students. The Student Police Academy (SPA) is a ten-week program that both exposes teens to police training, laws, policies and procedures that govern police work and encourages and provides individual engagement and communication between students and the police academy instructors. The SPA also exposes students to potential careers in law enforcement. Public service runs in John’s family. “My father was a city of Pittsburgh police officer for 38 years. I watched my father engage in community policing way before that term was ever created. I admired his service and dedication to his job and to the people and communities he served. I wanted to emulate his service in helping people help themselves in making their communities safe to live, work, play and worship. The people that I am blessed to work with in the neighborhoods I serve, make it so very enjoyable. At the same time, they motivate me to do more and work harder in making their lives healthy, happy and safe. My dad taught me a number of core values in life, among them were service, accountability, assistance and empathy towards my neighbors. In the end, this is what it’s all about.” John Tokarski can be reached at 412-432-8674 or john.tokarski@pittsburghpa.gov. 2018 Cops & Kids Whiffle Ball Tournament

Solutions: Ian Reynolds, SaferTogether Coordinator

Serving His Community

Ian Reynolds joined the Department of Public Safety in 2019 as Disruptive Properties Coordinator and added the duties of SaferTogether Coordinator in August 2020. He is responsible for community outreach in police zones 2, 3 and 5. In 2020, Ian forged partnerships with Henry Wang and 424 Athlete Factory to distribute over 20,000 facemasks to inner city communities. His motivation was “I felt this was needed to help protect and keep our communities safe.” He also coordinated the distribution of Christmas food to 200 Hill District families with the Zone 2 Public Safety Council and the NFL Players Association and the distribution of coats to over 100 people with the Zone 5 Public Safety Council. He said “I enjoy my job because I love to help out in communities. I am a City kid, so I believe we need to give back and help out the youth and protect our elders as well. I love that we get to hear about the issues in communities and can help out with their issues. I enjoy the interactions with community leaders and members just to hear how passionate they are about where they live and what they need to keep their community safe.” Ian is a lifelong Hill District resident. He attended Brashear High School where he was involved with an Allegheny County Bar Association minority law internship program that gave high school kids an opportunity to experience various workplace environments. After graduating from St. Bonaventure University with a degree in Business Management, he was a manager at several Pittsburgh law firms before being named Manager of Operations for the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. From the Zone 5 Public Safety Council's 2020 Christmas Coat Distribution

Ian Reynolds, SaferTogether Coordinator He says: “As a kid I watched Reverend Glenn Grayson at Wesley Center AME Zion Church give opportunities and different life experiences to so many people, including me! He took so much pride in giving back to the community as well as doing so much to protect the community. I want to continue to serve and help the community just as he has and still does.” Says Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich: “while Ian is new to our department, he has repeatedly shown his commitment to public service and the City of Pittsburgh. His efforts with Disruptive Properties and his rapport with residents led to his promotion to SaferTogether Coordinator, a position that will allow him to focus his efforts on community outreach and a safer Pittsburgh. I believe he will continue to be a valuable asset to our team.” When he’s not working, Ian also coaches football in the Hill District which gives him a chance to interact with kids of all ages and try to help and support them as much as possible, even if it’s just pointing them in the right direction to mentors, training, jobs and anything that can help them stay out the streets and better themselves. He has helped many organizations partner with different groups of youth. Prior to joining the City, he started a youth basketball organization with the help of Ozanam and Darelle Porter. “I was able to assemble boy teams from the ages of 5-14 and take them out of town to multiple basketball tournaments. The team also got to travel, experience college life by visiting multiple universities and see several national monuments.” Ian Reynolds can be reached at 412-518-1207 or ian.reynolds@pittsburghpa.gov.

Solutions: Public Safety Zone Councils

Below, a Zone 5 Public Safety Council meeting prior to the pandemic

How YOU can get to know your First Responders!

“The police are the public and the public are the police, the police being the only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen.” This is from the “Father of Modern Policing”, Sir Robert Peel, who developed 9 policing principles that remain as crucial and urgent today as they were when he wrote them in 1829.  One way for citizens to fulfill that duty is by participating in their local Public Safety Zone Council. Each of Pittsburgh’s six police zones has a citizen-led Council which is open to everyone with an interest in information sharing, education and training, as well as addressing issues concerning public safety concerns in their neighborhood. The Department of Public Safety’s SaferTogether Coordinators assist the Public Safety Councils in accomplishing their objectives. “Public Safety Councils have been vital to the success of our outreach efforts. They have been instrumental in making suggestions to the City on ways in which we can better improve our relationships with residents in their respective zones and keeping the residents informed of changes taking place in the department by hosting guest speakers and disseminating information. The Department of Public Safety appreciates the volunteers that devote their time to supporting the work of the Public Safety Councils and we encourage more to get involved” says Shatara Murphy, Assistant Director for Community Affairs.

A 2018 City-Wide Public Safety Meeting flyer

Information at a National Night Out Event in 2019

Public Safety Zone Councils meet most months of the year to work collectively towards building relationships, creating solutions and by working proactively with public safety personnel to create safer communities within which to live, play, work and worship. At each regular meeting, residents can raise concerns with their police and police share current statistics and responses to previously raised issues.   Public Safety Councils are volunteer led and receive a very small budget from the City. Their budgets are every limited, they operate at the generosity of volunteers, their members, community residents and businesses and when available, some funding from Pittsburgh City Council. Annual events generally have generally included two City-Wide Public Safety Meetings each year and National Night Out in August. Due to the pandemic, these events did not occur during 2020. Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich stated that “the Department of Public Safety values community engagement and understands the importance of inviting community members to the table. Our Public Safety Councils allow residents to get involved in improving their neighborhoods and building relationships with public safety personnel. They give residents a platform to communicate the community’s needs in a forum conducive to solution-focused discussion. I am proud of the work that our Office of Community Affairs has done to support our Public Safety Councils.” Please get involved! Below are descriptions of each Public Safety Zone Council.  Zone 1 Public Safety Council Neighborhoods Served: Allegheny Center, Allegheny West, Brighton Heights, California – Kirkbride, Central Northside, Chateau, East Allegheny, Fineview, Manchester, Marshall-Shadeland, North Shore, Northview Heights, Perry North, Perry South, Spring Garden, Spring Hill, Summer Hill, and Troy Hill. Meetings: First Thursday of most months at 5:30 pm. The first meeting of 2021 is Thursday February 4. David Stacey, President Zone 1 Public Safety Council Leader: David Stacy, President. Says President Stacy: “Bringing communities together throughout the Northside/Zone 1 neighborhoods for the common cause of public safety and quality of life for our neighborhood as a whole. I find it extremely satisfying-I as well as other neighbors of the Northside in making lifelong friends.” 2020 Accomplishments: Creating and maintain relationships between neighborhood communities, public safety personnel and Zone 1 Northside Public Safety Council leadership. This was best demonstrated when the Council worked with the Northside Leadership Council to borrow tablet computers for our members to use so that they could participate in virtual PSC meetings during the pandemic. Notes from SaferTogether Coordinator John Tokarski: “The Northside Zone 1 Public Safety Council (PSC) is the oldest and most developed PSC in the city. A stand-alone non-profit corporation that has been around for over two dozen years, the group has always worked diligently at maintaining both membership and input from all the neighborhoods that make up Zone 1 service area (the entire Northside). They deeply appreciate the various public safety bureaus who serve them, particularly the police. I find it a pleasure not only to work with the group, but also to know and be able to call them my friends.” How to join meetings: During the pandemic, all meetings are held virtually. To access the next meeting, simply email the Zone 1 Public Safety Council at zone1psc@gmail.com and ask to be placed on the email list for meeting notices.  Chief Schubert and Former Councilwoman Darlene Harris at a Zone 1 Public Safety Council National Night Out event Zone 2 Public Safety Council Neighborhoods Served: Bedford Dwellings, Bluff, Central Business District, Crawford Roberts, Lawrenceville (Upper), Lawrenceville (Central), Lawrenceville (Lower), Middle Hill, Oak Hill, Polish Hill, Strip District, and Upper Hill. Meetings: Monthly meeting dates vary. The next meeting will be virtually on Friday January 22 at a time to be determined. From Zone 2 Public Safety Council's Holiday Food Distribution in 2020 Leader: Gail Felton, President. President Felton believes that “all residents of Zone 2 should want to be involved with the Public Safety Council and other community organizations because they learn more about their own community and can then speak for themselves to the media and the government. When the police and others see people taking care of their communities, they seem to care more and want to get more involved in positive activities. Working together reduces violence and it helps everybody.” For more information on the Zone 2 Public Safety Council, please call President Felton at 412-261-0922. 2020 Accomplishments: Unfortunately, the pandemic derailed the activities being planned for 2020. A Christmas food drive, however, did proceed in partnership with the Reach outreach team, Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and NFL Players Association. Meals were distributed to over 100 families. Notes from SaferTogether Coordinator Ian Reynolds: “I hope to see more people in Zone 2 get involved with the Public Safety Council because nobody in your community knows what you need better then you do. We have to become active and present in our communities to see change.  Zone 2 is a key community in our City. We need to do all we can to keep it safe and clean. While I’m happy that the Christmas meal program could proceed, there is so much more that we could do if we just had additional interested people. Please contact me to get involved.” How to join meetings: For meeting details, please contact SaferTogether Coordinator Ian Reynolds at 412-518-1207 or Ian.Raynolds@PittsburghPA.gov. Zone 3 Public Safety Council Neighborhoods Served: Allentown, Arlington, Arlington Heights, Beltzhoover, Bon Air, Carrick, Duquesne Heights, Knoxville, Overbrook, Mt. Oliver City, Mt. Washington, Saint Clair, South Side Flats and South Side Slopes. Meetings: The Zone 3 Public Safety Council meets the third Monday of most months at 6:00 pm. The next meeting is Monday January 18 at 6:00pm via Zoom. The Agenda and Zoom calling information will be posted on the Zone 3 Public Safety Council’s Facebook page (titled: Zone Three Public Safety Council).

Liz Style, President Zone 3 Public Safety Council

Roy Blankenship, Vice President Zone 3 Public Safety Council

Leaders: Liz Style, President, Roy Blankenship, Vice President, Rose Nelson, Treasurer. President Style is involved because “to be a part of the Z3PSC is to be a part of a network of dedicated residents, community groups, organizations, and professionals who work together to keep our neighborhoods safer and more secure. It is to be a part of a group of great people who work cooperatively to tackle big and small problems and who genuinely care about their neighbors. Being a part of the Z3PSC fills my heart.” 2020 Accomplishments: While being disappointed that several anticipated events had to be cancelled due to the pandemic, President Style pointed out two highlights: First, holding meetings most months during 2020 with knowledgeable guest speakers including: Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert; Commander Eric Holmes, Chief of Staff, Intelligence Unit; Sargent Tiffany Kline-Costa, Community Engagement Office; Rev. Eileen Smith, Director of the South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace and Richard Carrington, Team Leader for the South Pittsburgh Peacemakers; and Diane Powell, Director of Black Women for Positive Change. And second, purchasing safety vests for neighborhood clean-up crews.  Notes from Zone 3 Public Safety Council President Liz Style: The Zone Three Public Safety Council works to build bridges between residents in the 14 neighborhoods in Zone 3 and first responders that serve them. The Z3PSC invites neighbors, police and other public safety bureaus to work together to find solutions to problems of mutual concern by building partnerships. We do this by:   Hosting open meetings each month where residents, community leaders, the Zone 3 Commander and others attend. Briefings at these meetings include current police reports, news from the Block Watches and updates from Z3PSC committees, community members and our Safer Together Coordinator. Providing safety information to residents through announcements, meetings and events. Assisting neighbors in forming block watches and planning National Night Out events Selecting a yearly project that benefits all Zone 3 communities, can be completed within the year, and is sustainable over time. Our recent projects include: developing Build a Block Watch informational packet (2018); initiating an annual community-wide “Picnic with Police” (at the first event in the summer of 2019, 250 residents and first responders attended);  developing an on-line newsletter and Facebook page (2019); exploring the use of on-line technologies to host meetings and events (2020); purchasing safety vests for neighborhood clean-up crews (2020). In 2021 we will continue to use technologies like Zoom to bring meetings, events and programming to residents. We also hope to hold another successful “Picnic with Police” during the summer. How to join meetings: We invite you to join our efforts by following us on Facebook @ zonethreepublicsafetycouncil or contacting us at zone3psc1@gmail.com. Zoom Meeting ID and Passcode will be sent by email and announced on our Facebook page.

Scenes from the Zone 3 Public Safety Council's Community Picnic in 2019:

Police Commander Karen Dixon and the Pirate Parrot

Liz Style, Robert Cavalier and City Councilman Bruce Kraus

Zone 4 Public Safety Council Neighborhoods Served: Central Oakland, Glen Hazel, Greenfield, Hays, Hazelwood, Lincoln Place, New Homestead, North Oakland, Point Breeze, Point Breeze North, Regent Square, Shadyside, South Oakland, Squirrel Hill North, Squirrel Hill South, Swisshelm Park and West Oakland. Meeting Date & Time: The Zone 4 Public Safety Council meets the third Thursday of most months at 6:00 pm via Zoom. The next meeting is Thursday January 14 at 6:00 pm.

Dennis Downey, President Zone 4 Public Safety Council

Judy Stump, Vice President Zone 4 Public Safety Council

From Secretary Judy Stump: “anyone with an interest in public safety is invited attend the monthly Zone 4 Public Safety Council meetings. This is a great opportunity to meet and interact with the Zone 4 Command Staff as well as our Community and Neighborhood Resource Officers. Meetings generally consist of updates from our Officers and the Department of Public Safety along with a presentation of current interest. We are always looking for residents wanting to take an active role in public safety in our Zone 4 neighborhoods.”                       2020 Accomplishments: According to President Dennis Downey, “Reviving and rebuilding the Public Safety Council after a several year hiatus was one of our biggest challenges and accomplishments. With the assistance of the Department of Public Safety, the responsibility for the Safety Council has moved from our Community Resource Officer to a Leadership Team consisting of residents. Also with the assistance of the Department of Public Safety, we were provided the opportunity for the residents of the zone to participate in timely and pertinent public safety presentations and activities.” From Zone 4 Police Commander Dan Herrmann: “Neighborhood residents need to voice their concern with public safety issues and the Zone 4 Public Safety Council is the best arena to have a one-in-one meeting with the police and other residents who might share the same concerns.”  From SaferTogether Coordinator John Tokarski: “The concern and dedication of the leadership of this Zone Council is amazing. Six years ago, there was a barely a breath of life in the Zone 4 Public Safety Council. But, with the leadership of Dennis Downey and Judy Stump, combined with support from other outstanding neighborhood leaders including Mary Hupe, Liz Gray, Denise Parker and Kathy Cunningham, there existed a will and dedication to not only stabilizing the council but growing it as well. Something else unique to this Zone Council is that it represents a wide and varied group of socio economic neighborhoods and religions which not only makes it a diverse and amazing group, but one where everyone is actively involved!” How to join meetings: Anyone interested in joining the discussion may request to be added to her monthly distribution list by emailing pghzone4publicsafetycouncil@gmail.com.

‌ Zone 4 Police Commander Dan Herrmann at a Public Safety Council meeting

Zone 5 Public Safety Council Neighborhoods Served: Bloomfield, East Hills, East Liberty, Friendship, Garfield, Highland Park, Homewood, Larimer, Lincoln - Lemington – Belmar, Morningside, North Oakland, and Stanton Heights. Meetings:  The Zone 5 Public Safety Council meets the second Tuesday of most months at 7:00 pm. All meetings are now virtual via ZOOM. Their next meeting is Tuesday, January 12th at 7:00 pm. Special guest speakers at the January meeting will include Dr. Elizabeth Miller of Children’s Hospital whose topic is: COVID 19 Updates: Vaccines are here! What? When? How?

Zinna Scott, President Zone 5 Public Safety Council

Toni Yates, Vice President Zone 5 Public Safety Council

2020 Accomplishments: According to President Zinna Scott, there were three notable accomplishments. First, the Zone 5 Public Safety Council was able to keep meeting throughout 2020, even though the meetings went virtual after the pandemic. Second, the New Police Officer Meet and Greet event in September in her yard. Third, the Christmas coat drive that provided over 100 winter coats to needy community members. She is looking forward to resuming past successful events like the summer open house and the officer appreciation meet and greet in December. From Vice President Toni Yates of Highland Park: “I moved to Pittsburgh in July 2013 and started attending meetings shortly thereafter. I wanted to learn more about Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods and keep informed about happenings in Zone 5. I have enjoyed getting to know and working with the citizens and police officers who really care about our community. I have learned much useful and timely information on a variety of topics from speakers who came to the meetings. And, I have been provided with opportunities to volunteer my time at various functions and events. Some of my favorite activities have been the summer festivals and the holiday open house at the Zone 5 police station. This past summer, I enjoyed the New Police Officer Meet & Greet that Zinna Scott hosted.”

Notes from President Zinna Scott of Homewood:  “I’m involved with the Zone 5 Public Safety Council for several reasons. First, to get ahead of potential problems by meeting police in positive and non-confrontational ways. Second, to apprise residents of developments which are always taking place with our public safety personnel, so that residents know where to go when they have a problem. And finally, so that our police can know who’s active in the community and who can help them if the need arises. “It has been very successful at encouraging residents to work closer with Zone 5 Police on community projects and in generating positive relationships among residents and officers. Ultimately, this helps prevent violence.” How to join meetings: To obtain meeting contact information, please send an email to: Zone5citizenspsc@gmail.com or call President Zinna Scott at 412-726-4958.

From the Zone 5 Public Safety Council's New Officer Meet & Greet in 2020

Zone 6 Public Safety Council Neighborhoods Served: Chartiers City, Crafton Heights, East Carnegie, Elliott, Esplen, Fairywood, Oakwood, Ridgemont, Sheraden, West End, Westwood and Windgap. Meetings: The Zone 6 Public Safety Council meets the fourth Thursday of most months. Meetings are currently being held only virtually via Zoom. The next meeting will be Thursday January 28 at 6:30 pm.:

From left to right: Debra Bailey, Secretary, John Tokarski, SaferTogether Coordinator, Pat Friess, Chairperson, and Zone 6 Police Lieutenant Shawn Malloy

Leaders: Pat Friess, Chairperson, Phyllis DiDiano, Vice Chairperson, Debra Bailey, Secretary & Mark Howe, Technology Specialist. Comments from President Pat Friess: “Public safety is everyone’s responsibility! The police are a part of the equation, but the residents and businesses are even larger player. If no crime is reported, no crime was committed. If no one reports the person they know committed or is committing a crime, there will be no arrest. Public safety is every one of our responsibilities, whether it’s public health or public safety…and nothing has taught that to us more than the recent pandemic!” 2020 Accomplishments: Prior to the pandemic, we have been holding our meeting in the numerous communities that Zone 6 serves, rather than holding them at one fixed location. We have assisted the Zone 6 police in hosting their Open House events as well as having participated in Casa San Jose’s Cinco De Mayo celebrations. Notes from SaferTogether Coordinator JohnTokarski: “I love working with the Zone 6 PSC. They are group that faces many challenges when addressing the public safety needs of their communities. It is a unique zone council as it serves the entire Western quadrant of the city of Pittsburgh, while also serving the South Hills communities of Brookline, Beechview and Banksville. They are proud of their communities and even in the worst case scenario, will commit to do whatever they need to do to make their community the best and safest it can be.” How to join meetings: Anyone interested in joining the next meeting may message the Zone 6 Public Safety Council via Facebook or contact Debra Bailey at djamesbailey1223@gmail.com.

From the Zone 6 Public Safety Council Officer Meet & Greet in 2019

From the Zone 6 Public Safety Council Police Open House in 2019

Why Citizens Should Get Involved by Police Chief Scott Schubert

"The police are the public and the pubic are the police" As a proud member of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the last 28 years, I've had an opportunity to work firsthand with the various Public Safety Zone Councils across the City of Pittsburgh. The work that they do to help improve public safety is incredible!  We value the partnership we have with the Public Safety Councils and are committed to working in collaboration with one-another to help make all of our communities safer places to live, work, and visit!  We strongly encourage members of the community to join their local Public Safety Council. It’s a great opportunity for residents to get to know more about their community and their police, while working in as a group to make a positive impact in the lives of others!

Active involvement is a necessity in all of our communities! The more people that get involved in community safety, the more we can do, as a team, to achieve our common goals. As Sir Robert Peel said nearly 200 years ago: “the police are the public and that the public are the police, the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.” These words still hold true today and validate the need for public approval, mutual trust, input, and on-going collaboration.  Pittsburgh's Public Safety Councils are a perfect example of that necessary partnership!  Above-Chief Schubert with Police Interns in 2019 Left-Chief Schubert and friends at Ozanam Unity in the Community Camp in 2020

Mike Logan-Steeler from 2001 to 2006

Mike Logan (right) with his mentee

Success Story: From Mike Logan-Reach Outreach Team

The Value of Mentoring Mike Logan continued his work in the community after a successful NFL career, highlighted by winning a Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2006. Born on the Southside of Pittsburgh and raised in the Mon Valley, he developed relationships with people inside and outside of the City. In 1997, he started Logan’s Heroes to assist educational and athletic programs that help youth who come from distressed and disadvantaged situations. He started coaching and mentoring at University Prep High School in 2011. Now part of the City of Pittsburgh’s Reach Outreach team (a project of the Center that CARES and featured in the November STOP the Violence Newsletter), he knows the value of mentoring. Here’s a testimony of one of Mike’s successful mentoring experiences: “I’ve been training students and athletes in the Hill District for almost two decades. During that time, I’ve lost several students to street violence and others to the penal system. You come to cherish the times when you can see your labors bear fruit! “I connected with a young man who had been conflicted about a career path after graduating from high school. He’s worked a few part-time jobs, but the pandemic occurred cutting his hours significantly and he hasn’t been able to collect much unemployment compensation.  “The young man had been stressed out to the point that he had a mini-stroke! He’s since recovered and we’ve been connecting virtually as well as having socially distant meet-ups. I’ve been encouraging him to push through life’s adversities. Our connections consist of me sharing my experiences with him while teaching him coping mechanisms to deal with the challenges he’s faced.

“I recently forwarded him a resource called the Hustle Academy which I heard about from Taili Thompson, Director of Violence Prevention at Operation Better Block in Homewood. This online Academy teaches practical skills so anyone can become a successful entrepreneur. [https://hustle-academy4.teachable.com/]  “He’s utilized his 'down-time' to pursue his passion, which is music. His spirits seem lifted since releasing a series of music videos that have been popular on social media. He has transformed his attitude towards positive thinking with the tools he has acquired." “This is the type of work that may not look very impressive on a time sheet but pays dividends in terms of fulfillment and purpose to me as an outreach worker. This prevents violence.” Dr. Arthur Woods, the Reach team’s Workforce Development Specialist, stated that “without Mike’s support, who knows how this young man would have survived or where he would have found his support. He might have turned to violence. We filled that void”. To find out how YOU can support the Reach Outreach Team or if you know of an individual that is at risk and needs a mentor, please contact Dr. Arthur Woods at artpw1@yahoo.com or Team Coordinators Antoine Bailey at 412-670-7457 or Vaughn Rivers at vaughnrivers3@gmail.com. Reach Outreach Team Coordinators Antoine Bailey and Vaughn Rivers

Learning: Group Violence Intervention +

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: MA1Guniversity! The first half of the webinar is on GVI, the second half on Intimate Partner Intervention. 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.

Facts & Stats Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to December 31, 2020. These only cover the City, not the areas of Allegheny County which are outside of the City. A few December statistics of note: only one homicide occurred, but there were 12 non-fatal shootings. Comparing 2020 with 2019: homicides were up 38% non-fatal shootings were up 21% November was the worst month for homicides (7), followed by July, August and October (6 each month) Only May and December had fewer homicides in 2020 than 2019 Zone 5 had the most homicides (17) and Zone 6 had the fewest (1) Zones 1 and 5 had the most non-fatal shootings (over 30 each) Victims were: 80% male, 88% black and 69% between the ages of 18 and 34. We have a lot of work to do so that 2021 statistics are far better than 2020 and far fewer lives are impacted by violence. Preventing violence will take all of us. We need to speak out, offer alternatives, and make sure that our family members and friends know that we will do anything to keep them safe and that gun violence is not an acceptable way to settle any dispute. 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?

City of Pittsburgh Police Zones

Tips for You: Parents: Do you know what your kids are doing online? Many violent incidents start or are maintained through social media posts like Facebook and Twitter. Parents, especially, should know what their kids are posting. Are they bullying, challenging or threatening other kids? Are they calling people bad names? Are they being bullied? Do you know your child's online identity? Some youth have an aggressive online identity (maybe even a different name or nickname) that may be very different from the identity you know! Have you asked? Get Help For Domestic Violence! Violence is not an acceptable method to resolve issues between friends or partners. If there are threats, please seek help! Some resources are in the Domestic Violence Resource Guide which you can access HERE.

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. Please send any ideas, notices or suggestions to: STOP the Violence Office.  December Survey Responses Last month we asked: How frequently would you like to receive the STOP the Violence Newsletter? Survey results: Monthly 47% Weekly 29% Quarterly 12% Never 12% Thank you for your responses! Previous Newsletters: Click on the dates below to find past issues of the City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence monthly newsletter: DECEMBER 2020 NOVEMBER 2020 OCTOBER 2020

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.

To register for the January 9th or February 13th workshops mentioned above, please call Mary Ann at 412-807-1611 or email at: mahvizdos@verizon.net.

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