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2021 YEAR END STATISTICS
& VICTIM ANALYSIS
(just scroll down)
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STOP the Violence
News & Updates
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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 and strategies with any jurisdiction outside of the City.
Table of Contents
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Speaking Up: Retaliation Isn't the Answer
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Something You Can Do: Participate in the Next Citizens Police Academy
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Solutions: How to Heal After A Homicide
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Solutions: Effective Community Violence Prevention Efforts Recognized by Pittsburgh Steelers
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Something You Can Do: Pray for Peace and Against Violence
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Training: Group Violence Intervention; Gun Violence and Public Health Webinar Series; Conflict Resolution Training
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Facts and Stats: From December 2021
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More Facts and Stats: 2021 Victim Analysis
- Tips for You
- Coming Events
- Community Resources
Don't forget to complete the 4 polls in 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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Speaking Up:
Retaliation Isn't the Answer; Finding and Living Your Purpose Is
Retaliation Isn't Inevitable and You Can Help Someone Find their Purpose
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After reading an edition of the STOP the Violence Newsletter, the Stop the Violence Office received this email: “I would like to share my story regarding violence. My brother was shot multiple times about 5 to 6 years ago on the Northside. He is now a quadriplegic that I assist with taking care of. I would like to share how this grief encourages me to change the narrative regarding retaliation.”
The author of this email is Martin Louis Roberson King, Jr., 32, an Administrative Assistant with the City of Pittsburgh Law Department. Here is part of his story:
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“I was born and raised in Northview Heights. Violence upsets me because I had to live with people doing drive-by shootings, and having to run from bullets from people I thought were my friends who were shooting at me. I’m just tired of the violence.
“After my younger brother was shot, I really wanted to retaliate, but my mother-in-law stopped me. She told me not to do it and said “you’ve got children and they need you.” I also didn’t retaliate because I didn’t want to go to jail and have people telling me what to do. I encourage anyone who’s tempted to retaliate to stop and think. You should ask yourself ‘is it worth it’ sitting behind bars.
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“I now see my brother laying in bed daily asking for assistance because he can no longer take care of himself and it’s still hard not to think about retaliation. I don’t do it because I have a purpose, I want to be a good dad to my children (ages 12, 8 and 6) and make them proud.
“Getting where I am today was a struggle and I was helped by many people in many places. During elementary and middle school, I attended a Tuesday night afterschool program at First Presbyterian Church in downtown (I went with some friends who were driven from Northview by their relative). They showed us positive things and taught us from the Bible. They invested in us. In the summer, they picked one child to attend their camp at Ligonier Camp & Conference Center. I was chosen one year, they paid for it, and I was the only African-American student there. I survived. That’s what pushes me.
“When I was a kid, I use to watch the City’s government channels on cable tv. One day, I saw a black man sitting at the City Council table and said ‘someday that’s going to be me’. Although I came from nothing, I didn’t want to be a statistic. I wanted to prove America wrong. Not all of us are terrorists.
“What saved me was Dr. Floyd West , a guidance counselor at Oliver High School, who told me that I was smart – he invested in me by telling me that I was going to CCAC to take whatever I wanted. Dr. Floyd told me to use my school bus pass and take CCAC classes, and he would see that my books were paid for -- he might have paid for them out of his own pocket. After high school, I went to Penn State Greater Allegheny because they gave me a chance to prove myself in spite of my grades (C’s and D’s), then Penn State Main Campus. A professor told me not to stress over grades because C’s get degrees. And he was right!
“My message is that any child that has a dream needs to follow that dream, because it can come true if you put in the time, effort, and work. And I want to encourage community members to help wherever they are because you might be influencing a kid like me.”
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#1. Are personal stories like Martin's important to share?
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Something You Can Do:
Participate in the Next
Citizens Police Academy
Sign Up Now!
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Citizens Police Academy is an opportunity for citizens in the Pittsburgh community to meet some police officers, get a sample of police training and be exposed to the operations of the Police Bureau. The Fall 2021 Citizens Police Academy will be offered at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill.
Said one past Citizens Police Academy participant: “I never knew how many duties officers had and how many laws and procedures they had to know and how much specialized knowledge many of the officers had. It was really invaluable to me.”
Participants receive two hours of training one evening each week in many of the varied functions of law enforcement.
Topics typically include the basics of criminal law, search and seizure, patrol tactics, processing of a crime
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scene, how police canines are used, and the functions of many of the specialty police units.
You should leave this training with a greater understanding of the police mission and with an increased ability to see how the police serve the community.
Please note: This program is not an accredited certification course to become a sworn police officer.
If you’re interested, please complete an application and give permission for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to conduct a background check. The deadline for applications is Friday March 4, 2022.
The application can be found HERE.
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Solutions:
How to Heal After A Homicide
Dr. Toya Jones and Valerie Dixon
Share What to Do
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Dr. Toya Jones
Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
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Valerie Dixon
Director of Family and Community Support for the Center for Victims
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For an insightful discussion on healing from trauma and access to resources necessary to heal after a loss, experts Dr. Toya Jones and Valerie Dixon share in this video. Just click on the screen below to take a look: |
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Dr. Toya Jones, a published trauma specialist and director of the undergraduate social work program at the University of Pittsburgh can be reached HERE.
Valerie Dixon, with 20 years of experience assisting traumatized survivors of violence and Director of Family and Community Support for the Center For Victims can be reached HERE.
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#2. Do you know anyone who needs help after a loss or with their trauma?
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Solutions:
Effective Community Violence Prevention Efforts Recognized by Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Pittsburgh Steelers recognized three community organizations that were really making a difference in preventing violence. They featured the South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace, the Neighborhood Resilience Project and Everytown for Gun Safety. Take a look and share with your network:
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#3. Did you take a look at the Steelers' VIdeo?
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Something You Can Do:
Pray For Peace and Against Violence
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Anyone can pray for peace and against violence either alone or as part of the STOP the Violence Prayer Team. If prayer is important to you, please pray whenever and wherever possible against violence.
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Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty prays weekly for peace in the City, for Outreach workers who are attempting to reduce violence, and for law enforcement. Senior Pastor Paul Roberts says that they adopted the challenge to pray against violence and for peace because "we are called to be peacemakers and regular prayer is a foundational step in doing that. I would encourage others to pray for peace and not just to stop the violence." |
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The Reverend Paul Roberts
Senior Pastor
Eastminster Presbyterian Church
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According to Pastor Roberts, regular praying "keeps peace in the mind and heart of out community. It causes us to discuss and ask questions like what should we be doing." |
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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, Director of Outreach for the City of Pittsburgh Group Violence Intervention initiative. He adds, "I'd like to see all churches praying against violence."
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Reverend Cornell Jones
City of Pittsburgh Director of Outreach
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If you, your pastor or spiritual leader or your place of worship or church sign up for the non-denominational prayer team, you will receive periodic prayer request emails and notices about faith-based initiatives to prevent violence and increase peace in our community. You can sign up HERE.
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Training:
Group Violence Intervention +
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Pittsburgh's Group Violence Intervention initiative (GVI) is a proven strategy to reduce shootings and homicides in urban neighborhoods by using a multi-aspect strategy:
- informed street outreach and social services to prevent violence,
- involved community members reinforcing community norms rejecting violence; and
- law enforcement in partnership with the community when other means are not effective.
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, including the complete logic model, was featured in the October 2021 STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE.
The non-law enforcement elements of GVI are coordinated by Rev. Cornell Jones, Director of Outreach who can be contacted at cornell.jones@pittsburghpa.gov.
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Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore and Seattle Council President Lorena Gonzalez headed the list of speakers in a ten hour webinar on August 18 and 19, 2021 organized by the Center on Media, Crime and Justice at John Jay College to help journalists and the public gain greater understanding on efforts to address the rising levels of gun violence in at-risk communities. |
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The series focused on prevention and intervention strategies. Leaders of community intervention strategies and programs in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Sacramento discussed what is and isn’t working in their cities. Pittsburgh’s efforts compare quite favorably with these efforts.
The webinar consists of seven sessions, each lasting from 30 to 90 minutes. A table of contents is available so you can watch a particular session. Please take a look HERE.
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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. This training was conducted in January 2021.
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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Mind Always Matters Webinar
For more on grief support and mental health, see: Mind Always Matters, a POISE Foundation Community Conversation recorded November 18, 2021 with Jessica Gurley, LCSW and Julius Boatwright, LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker). This 75 minute discussion can be found HERE.
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Facts & Stats:
From December 2021
Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to December 31, 2021. These only cover the City, not any areas of Allegheny County which are outside of the City.
A few statistics of note from January to December 2021:
- There have been officially 56 homicides and 162 non-fatal shooting incidents this year. (Note: Several non-fatal shooting incidents were reclassified so that the total number of incidents did not increase from November to December.)
- Homicides are up 5% from 2020 and up 62% from 2019.
- The 3 homicides in December occurred during one incident on New Year's Eve in Zone 5. No other police zone had any homicides in December.
- Non-fatal shooting incidents are up 19% from 2020 and up 44% from 2019.
- 9 non-fatal shooting incidents is lower than last year.
- During December Zone 3 had 3 non-fatal shooting incidents, Zones 1 and 2 had 2 incidents, Zones 3 and 6 had 1 incident and Zone 4 had no incidents.
The causes of shootings are many, so the solutions will vary. Using a public health approach means attempting to understand the proximate and secondary causes of violence and tailoring solutions to fit the impacted population. There is no one answer.
If you are interested in working to change these statistics and increase the peace in the City of Pittsburgh, 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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More Facts & Stats:
2021 Victim Analysis
Below is an analysis of homicide and non-fatal shooting victims inside the City of Pittsburgh during 2021. These statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. T
A few items of note from this analysis of victims:
- Ages 0 through 17 had 11 homicides and 20 non-fatal shooting incidents in 2021.
- Ages 18 through 34 had 33 homicides and 100 non-fatal shooting incidents in 2021.
- Age 20 had the most homicides and non-fatal shooting victims.
- Victims were 90% male and 92% black.
Crime statistics are sometimes challenging to understand. If you or your organization would like to explore these statistics with one of the experts in the Crime Analysis Unit, please click HERE and send us an email.
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Tips for You:
#1: Lock your gun
An obligation of all gun owners is to store your gun safely at all times. Each year, there are multiple incidents where unlocked guns have been used in accidental shootings. Tragically, some of these shootings have resulted in deaths of young children.
Guns should be stored unloaded, uncocked and securely locked out of sight or reach.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police is providing free gun locks for all members of the public while supplies last. Locks may be picked up at Pittsburgh Police Headquarters or at any of the 6 Pittsburgh Police Zones. For addresses, click HERE.
#2: Don't stick around
Often, the potential for trouble is present before the trouble occurs. Waiting to see what happens can cause injury or death.
Every month, Pittsburgh Police report that violence occurs among people that know each other.
If an argument breaks out, don't wait, just depart.
If someone has a history of violence, don't wait for it to happen to you.
If someone makes a threat, report it and move on.
It's better to be safe and miss the action rather than injured or dead.
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Call Us If You Become Aware of a Dispute
If you hear of a school, social media or community dispute that needs to be defused before it leads to violence, please let us know. We would like to take positive steps to resolve such disputes before law enforcement must be called.
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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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December Survey Responses
Survey #1:
Does the Healing Rivers Project sound interesting?
Survey #2:
Do you know a child who is in need of adult mentoring?
Survey #3:
Have you prayed against violence and/or for peace sometime this year?
Survey #4:
Do you think violence issues are getting enough attention from the City of Pittsburgh?
Thank you for responding.
How will you help?
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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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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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Coming Events
If you want to receive periodic event announcements or 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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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
A Federally Qualified Health Care Center providing a full range of medical, dental, pediatric, prenatal, and behavioral health services including staff therapists and workforce development. Locations in East Liberty, Lincoln-Lemington and Wilkinsburg. Even if you don’t have insurance, please come.
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540 Suismon Street
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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GriefShare
Numerous Locations
in Allegheny County
GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements: a video lesson, in-person group discussion, and personal reflection.
This weekly group is free (just purchase the workbook online), open to anyone, and is offered in numerous locations in western Pennsylvania. The 13 week series features a video and optional discussion. To be part of the next series starting in early 2022, just find a location and sign up on the website at www.griefshare.org.
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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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Melanin Mommies
Latrice “Phoenix” Rose started Melanin Mommies after watching how social media rallied around George Floyd, but no one mentioned his family members, who were also affected by grief and trauma. After doing a survey of families who lost someone, she realized that mental health services weren’t always offered to them. Even for those few families that received some counseling resources, they needed more for their families and children because the grief didn’t stop.
Do you need help coping with your loss? Is your child struggling to cope with the loss of a parent or sibling? Please sign up for the next Melanin Mommies Mental Healing Cohort which starts in February 2022. It will meet for 12 weeks every Saturday at 10:30 am. For more information, see the Melanin Mommies Facebook page or contact Latrice Rose at at Info@melaninmommiespgh.org.
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Men’s Huddle Group
Paul B. Jones, Sr. experienced the death of his 19 year old son Jeremiah in 2017. He formed The Men’s Huddle Group as a support group for fathers who have lost children to gun violence and otherwise.
The Men’s Huddle Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty (250 Highland Avenue, 15206 – across from Home Depot).
For additional information, contact Paul Jones via email at jonzboyz@aol.com or call anytime (24/7) at 412-613-1912.
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The MOMS Group
Support For Mothers
Tina Ford of Clairton formed Mothers of Murdered Sons (The MOMS Group) after the loss of her son in 2019.
The MOMS Group meets in Clairton on the third Saturday of each month. All are welcome, just call Tina in advance for the location. If transportation is a problem, just call Tina – MOMS sometimes arranges transportation or makes home visits to provide support.
For more information, see the MOMS Group Facebook page HERE or contact Tina Ford at 412-219-7157 or Momsgroup2020@gmail.com..
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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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Other:
- Alma Illery Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services Office:
412-244-4700
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s 24 hour Helpline:
1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741
- City of Pittsburgh Dept. of Public Safety’s Victims of Crime Office:
412-707-2988
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Dr. Staci Ford: 412-277-4616
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Jessica Gurley, LCSW: (412) 204-6934
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RESOLVE Crisis Center - 24 hours: 1-888-796-8226
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#4. Have you ever shared the STOP the Violence Newsletter with anyone?
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Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh
STOP The Violence Newsletter
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