SPECIAL:
Free Training in Baltimore By Cities United
September 29, 2022
STOP the Violence
News & Updates
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

  • Something You Can Do & Training: Cities United Conference - October 2022
  • Solutions: REACH for GVI Support & Outreach
  • Solutions: Community Resources
  • Think About It: Should You Let Your Child Play With Toy Guns?
  • Solutions Update: STOP the Violence Community Investment Grants
  • Solutions Archive: Mayor Ed Gainey's Pittsburgh Plan For Peace
  • Solutions Archive: Mayor Ed Gainey On Building A More Peaceful Pittsburgh
  • Solutions: Let Us Know Using StopTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov
  • Something You Can Do: Pray for Peace and Against Violence
  • Information Corner: Rising Suicide Rates
  • Training: Group Violence Intervention; Gun Violence and Public Health Webinar Series; Conflict Resolution Training and More
  • Facts and Stats: From August 2022
  • Facts & Stats Archive: Pittsburgh Police 2021 Annual Statistical Report
  • Tip for You
  • Coming Events
  • More Community Resources

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Something You Can Do & Training:

Cities United Conference-October 2022

Can YOU Attend?
Cities United is a national network of over 100 mayors (including our own Mayor Ed Gainey) who are committed to stopping the unprecedented and devastating loss of the lives of African-American men and boys in cities throughout America.
 
They are committed to ensuring that hope is restored to their communities and providing pathways to justice, employment, education and increased opportunities for residents. This is done by developing and implementing plans working in partnership with community leaders, families, youth, philanthropy, government officials and other stakeholders. 
Over the last few years, we have witnessed what happens when we move as a collective voice. We now have increased understanding and support of community violence intervention strategies in more cities than ever before. This year's theme honors and celebrates the progress made as we Elevate Our Collective Power.
Cities United is holding their 9th Annual Convening Conference from October 26 to 28 in Baltimore, Maryland. Registration is required but there’s no registration fee. 

This year's theme remembers and honors the lives lost and impacted by homicides and shootings through the commitment and dedication towards Advancing an Interconnected System. 
Josiah Gilliam
Special Initiatives Coordinator
Office of Mayor Gainey
Josiah Gilliam, Pittsburgh’s Cities United Lead Representative, recommends the Convening "to learn the latest thinking, models, and progress in the violence prevention space from around the country. Cities United does an excellent job of bringing together community leaders, local officials, and Mayors from around the country to build relationships and share about what’s working in the midst of challenges. It is an excellent opportunity to recharge and to build bridges with other practitioners doing this work."
Key session topics are:

Credible Messengers and High Risk Intervention: Highlighting the impact of a Credible Messenger program, the effectiveness of High Risk Intervention, and how to apply both. Anyone doing street outreach should attend.
 
Building With Color: Expanding the View of Black Life Beyond our Skin: Combining storytelling, artistic expression, and self reflection to underscore the importance of knowing your “why” and building unity through meaningful connections. This workshop will highlight youth voices and experiences and the opportunity to elevate our collective power through relationships.
 
Black Male Suicide Prevention: Spotlighting the growing crisis of suicide among Black children and youth.
 
Youth Law Diversion: Delving into the benefits of pre arrest diversion programs for law enforcement, young people and communities, while discussing the challenges and barriers of the expansion of this justice work.
 
Cross-Sector Collaboration: Highlighting cities working with hospitals and non-profits, and some of the factors that lead to their success.
Reverend Cornell Jones
Pittsburgh Director of Street Outreach


Reverend Cornell Jones will be attending the Convening and recommends it to anyone “who wants to meet people doing violence prevention and community empowerment work from across the country. It is a chance to compare notes, be encouraged and pick up new strategies. Anyone attending will learn something and see how Pittsburgh compares with other cities.”


For further information on Cities United, please click HERE, to register for the Convening, please click HERE. Tell your friends! If you would like to be part of a group attending the Convening from Pittsburgh, please send us an email.
Poll # 1: Would attending the Cities United Convening be valuable for you?
Yes
No
Solutions:
for
GVI Support & Outreach

Call 1-833-44REACH
Support and Street Outreach for Pittsburgh's GVI violence prevention strategy is coordinated by Reverend Cornell Jones and is known as REACH. REACH is funded by the City of Pittsburgh through a contract with the Hill District's Center That Cares. The Reverend Glenn Grayson is the REACH General Manager.

REACH workers are community leaders who interact with individuals who have been impacted by violence or are at risk due to their circumstances or acquaintances. They are selected based on their individual experience, relationships and historical knowledge and are now embedded in communities across the City of Pittsburgh.




Left: REACH Outreach workers Jay Akers, Keshawn Brooks, Ayodeji Young and Vaughn Rivers with Mayor Gainey
The REACH Program Manager is Antoine Bailey and Supervisors are Vaughn Rivers (Zones 1 and 2), Terri Minor Spencer (Zones 3 and 6) and Ayo Young (Zones 4 and 5).
REACH workers partner with the Pittsburgh Police in each zone to identify threats, and attempt to prevent violent incidents.

Recent successes include:

  • Maintaining a presence at Carrick High School after over 100 students were involved in several fights.

  • Organizing a presence in Downtown Pittsburgh to prevent anticipated altercations during after-school hours.
Above: REACH Outreach workers Martell Hedge and Kevin Jordan with Pittsburgh Police Sergeant Tiffany Kline-Costa at Carrick High School
For a September 22, 2022 WPXI story on REACH, click below.
If you become aware of a situation which could benefit from the presence of REACH workers OR an individual who needs support, mentoring or resources to avoid trouble, please contact REACH at 1-833-44REACH.
Poll #2: Have you ever seen a REACH worker in the community?
Yes
No

Solutions-Community Resources:
Please Give Them A Call

There Are PLENTY of Outstanding Services Available for YOU in the City of Pittsburgh
A key part of the City’s violence prevention strategy is increasing the awareness of residents of those services that can help people form positive identities. All research indicates that the most important predictor of successful personal choices is a positive purpose. When someone is on their way to something that is attainable and surrounded by people pursuing positive goals, then they are less likely to become involved with negative behaviors.

The STOP the Violence Newsletter is committed to making residents aware of services that can assist community members of all ages in forming those positive identities.
This listing does not contain ALL available services -- there are dozens of services in each police zone. Additional services will be added each month. These listings are not advertisements or endorsements. They are to make you aware of opportunities in your neighborhood.
Zone 1:
Youth Mentoring & Support

1-412-321-3811

Urban Impact provides a safe place for in and out-of-school programming opportunities for children from preschool through high school in various locations on the NorthSide.

They offer 60+ unique programs, including:

  • Education/Academics
  • Athletics
  • Performing Arts
  • Options Workforce Readiness

Learn more by visiting their website: ULIPgh.org.
Zone 2:
Youth Mentoring & Support

1-412-26-CARES

CARES offers programs for pre-k through grade 12 – and beyond. They are committed to uplifting and transforming the lives of people of all ages through education, recreation, cultural enrichment, and thoughtful guidance.

For youth in pre-k through 5th grade, Cares offers nurturing, academic tutoring, recreational activities, and enrichment seminars.

For grades 6 to 12, Cares offers academic tutoring, career counseling, college and vocational school admissions assistance, and enrichment seminars.

For further information, click HERE for their website.
Zone 4:
Youth Development & Mentoring, Workforce Development

1-412-670-8421

Offering mentoring for youth from ages 5 and up, intergenerational sharing and workforce development.

For further information, please see their website by clicking HERE.
Zone 5:
Youth Mentoring & Support - Athletics & Academics

5315 Hillcrest Street - Garfield
1-412-404-2250

Serving boys and girls ages 7 through 17. Offering mentoring, tutoring, cultural and educational activities, recreation and parent information. Operating after-school and summer camp programs.

For further information, click HERE for their website.
Zone 5:
Youth Mentoring, Family Support & Workforce Development

7120 Kelly Street - Homewood
1-412-371-3689

Offering a variety of youth development programs for youth, including Asante Nation Safe Passage After-School, Kamp Kuumba, Saturday University Out-of-School Programming and African-American Leadership Institute. Also offers workforce development for all ages.

For further information, click HERE for their website.
Zone 5:
Youth Mentoring & Support

412-345-7172

EECM offers a variety of in-school and after-school programs for youth of all ages. Programs include elementary educational support, media and musical outreach, girls enrichment and empowerment, sport (including hockey, volleyball, basketball cycling and more. They are work inside Obama and Westinghouse high Schools as well as many Zone 5 middle and elementary schools.

For further information, click HERE for their website.
Zone 5:
Youth Mentoring & Support - Academics

Homewood Children's Village
1-412-727-7605

Offering holistic support to students at Lincoln PreK-5, Faison K-5 and Westinghouse High School. They use an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement.

For further information, click HERE for their website.
Zone 5:
Youth Mentoring & Support - Academics

1-412-242-4920

Offers afterschool STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Math) and socio-economic learning programming in Faison and Lincoln Schools.

For further information, click HERE for their website.
Zone 5:
Youth Mentoring & Support - Athletics

Westinghouse Youth Wrestling
1-412-709-0775

"Wrestling is one of the greatest sports for helping young kids build their character, develop self-confidence, improve discipline, and strengthen their will to succeed."

For community youth from any school who are between ages 5 and 17.

Participants also participate in outdoor experiences, goal setting and mentorship.

For additional information, contact Justin Perkins, Director at the above telephone number or click HERE to send an email.
Zone 5:
Life Skills & Family Support-Housing

134 South Highland Avenue #6 - East Liberty
1-412-573-9217

Offers trauma and life skills individual, group and family workshops and a variety of educational opportunities for entrepreneurship and job readiness.

Also offers specialized counseling to prepare individuals and families to be emotionally, physically and financially fit to purchase a home. Also offers renters eviction coaching, credit and budget counseling.

For further information, click HERE for their website.
Zone 5: Youth Mentoring & Support

1-412-661-7834


YES provides socially and economically at risk youth the opportunity to achieve success through participation in mentorship, education, and enrichment programs. Mentorship is available to students who are ages 14-21, attending Pittsburgh Public Schools or schools in surrounding districts. Education programs include academics, employment preparation, leadership development and empowerment.

To get involved as a mentor, volunteer or to enroll a student, just click HERE.
If you are aware of a service that should be mentioned in a future STOP the Violence Newsletter, please send the necessary information HERE.

If your organization wants to be listed or update its information, please send the necessary information HERE.
Poll #3: Are you pleased to see this list of activities in this Newsletter?
Yes
No
Think About It:

Should You Let Your Child Play
With Toy Guns?
Research finds that when children are randomly assigned to playing with toy guns, they show increased aggressive and anti-social behavior. Research also finds that children who play with toy guns more often at home show more real aggression (and not just aggressive pretend play). The most dangerous aspect of toy guns may be that most children cannot tell the difference between real guns and toy guns. However, research has not found a strong link between toy weapon use and more serious aggression, such as juvenile criminality.
If toy guns make you feel uncomfortable or you notice they make your child more aggressive, don’t allow your child to play with them. If you do allow toy guns, make some rules around their use. For example, not aiming the toy guns at people.

Whether you allow toy guns or not, make sure your child knows the difference between toy guns and real guns. Explain to them what to do if they are not sure (“do not touch the gun and tell an adult immediately”).
If you have real guns in the house, make sure they are locked in a lock box or safe with the ammunition stored separately.

From Dr. Cara Goodwin #parenting translator
Poll #4: Do you think kids should play with toy guns?
Yes
No
Solutions Update:

Coming Soon
A component of the Pittsburgh Plan For Peace is $1 million in grants for violence prevention projects in the City in 2022 that will compliment the existing work being done by the City's Group Violence Intervention Support and Outreach efforts. These violence prevention efforts are made possible by the City's STOP the Violence Trust Fund. 

Grant proposals were accepted by the POISE Foundation from early June until July 5. A total of over $8.5 million was requested by over 100 applicants, who are serving neighborhoods throughout the City. A maximum of 35 grants will be awarded. Funds should be disbursed in October.
Jay Gilmer
Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Coordinator
According to Jay Gilmer, the City's STOP the Violence Coordinator, "Pittsburgh is blessed to have so many dedicated people and outstanding organizations that are serving our people. There are services to meet every need.

"While it may be challenging to find the right service, if someone is persistent, they can find it. This Newsletter will be featuring more and more of these services so that the entire City can assist in directing individuals and families to the services they need. That is the way to change the community narrative that services aren't there."
If you or anyone you know in the City is in need of support to prevent violence, please inform the STOP the Violence Office.
Solutions Archive:

Mayor Ed Gainey's
Pittsburgh Plan For Peace

"It's going to take all of us"
On June 3, 2022, Mayor Gainey announced his Pittsburgh Plan For Peace.  When he announced the Plan, Mayor Gainey stated that "public safety is our number one priority".
You can find the entire Pittsburgh Plan For Peace HERE.
Solutions Archive:

Mayor Ed Gainey
On
Building A More Peaceful Pittsburgh
These are excerpts from an editorial that appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on July 7, 2022. The entire editorial is reprinted in the August 2022 STOP the Violence Newsletter.
"I grew up on Lawn Street in South Oakland until the age of 7. It was a neighborhood where everyone looked out for one another. Kids enjoyed the freedom of playing outdoors knowing that if they got out of line, someone would be there to hold them accountable. It was this environment of collective responsibility that held our community together — and one that I believe can bring us together today.

"My administration’s Plan for Peace is the first step to creating a safer city for everyone. Its purpose is to lay the foundation of health and safety and security on which each neighborhood, each block and each family can build a better community, the communities we need and deserve.
"Most importantly, my plan addresses violence as a public health crisis that is treatable and preventable. Young people aren’t born violent, just like they aren’t born sick. By changing the conditions in their communities, we can make it less likely they will contract the virus of violence.

"Just like any public health crisis, there is no one easy fix. The solution requires all of us — from parents to police, from health care professionals to city hall — to come together with a common purpose in a coordinated, sustained and concentrated effort for peace. Together, we will come together to make Pittsburgh one of the safest cities in our country."
Solutions:
 
Let Us Know Using
 
Are you aware of a NON-EMERGENCY situation that has the potential to turn violent but doesn’t yet need police attention? This could include a dispute, feud, insult, social media post, party, sporting event, fight being planned or even a rumor. It could involve school students or adults of any age, men or women. 

If you are, please contact the City of Pittsburgh's STOP the Violence Office using email address: StopTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov. 
"I think our expert outreach team, contracted through Center that Cares, has the ability to intervene in almost any situation if we have some notice. I encourage school personnel, sports team coaches, pastors, neighbors, and concerned community members to look out for the people they care about and report anything or anyone that could turn violent" said Jay Gilmer, the Department of Public Safety's STOP the Violence Coordinator. 

"Our goal is to resolve situations before violence occurs and police are necessary," .
If you know someone who needs a bit of help to avoid getting involved in activities that could lead to violence and someone becoming a statistic, please let us know. Help might include advice, family assistance, recovery, support from peers, or even a place to go. 
According to Reverend Cornell Jones, Director of Outreach for the City of Pittsburgh, "this information sharing email address is to enable us to know how to best use our outreach resources to prevent or interrupt violence. If we know about a situation or event with enough notice, our presence might be able to prevent something without anyone getting hurt or arrested. We want to see situations resolved before they escalate and result in someone getting hurt or going to jail."
Reverend Cornell Jones
Director of Outreach
When you send the email, please leave a few details and the neighborhood you are writing from. You will receive an initial response within 2 business days. 

The City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Office has access to many resources and partner organizations who would be pleased to help you or your friend. The STOP the Violence Office is part of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety but is not the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. 
THIS EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY HOTLINE
AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR CALLIING 911 OR 311    

IF VIOLENCE IS READY TO BREAK OUT, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!
Poll #5: Is StopTheViolence@PittsurghPa.gov a good idea?
Yes
No


Something You Can Do:
Pray For Peace and Against Violence
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.
According to Pastor Paul Roberts of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty, 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."
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.
Information Corner:
Rising Suicide Rates

Suicide rates are going up in American Cities. For a September 2022 Governing magazine analysis of CDC data, please click HERE.
Poll #6: Does suicide prevention get enough attention?
Yes
No
Training:
Group Violence Intervention +
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.

Support and outreach for GVI are coordinated by Rev. Cornell Jones, Director of Outreach who can be contacted at cornell.jones@pittsburghpa.gov.

Street Outreach for the City of Pittsburgh is contracted to The Center that Cares' Reach team. Their General Manager is The Reverend Glenn Grayson, Program Manager is Antoine Bailey and Supervisors are Vaughn Rivers (Zones 1 and 2), Terri Minor Spencer (Zones 3 and 6) and Ayo Young (Zones 4 and 5). They can be reached at 1-833-44REACH.
GVI Support & Outreach:

Pittsburgh’s Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention-Part 1 was featured in the August 2021 STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE. Part 2, including GVI and its complete logic model, was featured in the October 2021 Newsletter and can be accessed HERE.

How does support and outreach work?
 
Recent research on GVI’s support and outreach component was released this month by the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC). The report explains that in GVI, traditional “social services'' are replaced with a structure “tailored to members of the special core street population, their situation, and their needs.” This is done because “many GVI clients are not ready for traditional social services like remedial education and employment training … these clients instead receive ‘support and outreach.’ Support is defined as ‘providing centralized and accessible services for people at high risk of violence.’” Outreach is defined as ‘’making deliberate, persistent, and consistent connections to people involved in violence to foster new relationships and build community.”


Support and Outreach Best Practices
NNSC’s research from around the country has shown that effective outreach and support includes these best practices:

  • The Goal: Staying alive and out of prison.
  • Actually reach out.
  • Protect from risk.
  • Address trauma. 
  • Provide critical resources. 
  •  Support the whole family. 
  • Connect to traditional services. 

For the entire report on Support and Outreach, click HERE.

How you can help
Community efforts to compliment the GVI strategy are encouraged. Rev. Jones states: “Other community members, businesses and ministries can help too, even if they don’t have the skills to be an outreach worker, they can help us by sharing resources that can be directed towards the vulnerable population. We need everything that community members need in order to be successful from food to employment to fatherhood and motherhood support.” To get involved, please send an email to the STOP the Violence Office by clicking HERE.
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.
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.
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!
Webinar: Mind Always Matters

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.
Webinar: How to Heal After a Homicide

For an insightful discussion on healing from trauma and access to resources necessary to heal after a loss, experts Dr. Toya Jones (Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work) and Valerie Dixon (Director of Family and Community Support for the Center for Victims) see the recorded video: How to Heal After a Homicide. This 37 minute video was recorded in January 2022.

Just click below to see the video:

Facts & Stats:

From August 2022

Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to August 31, 2022. These only cover the City, not any areas of Allegheny County which are outside of the City. A few notes can be found after the charts.
City of Pittsburgh Police Zones:
IMPORTANT NOTE:

The Non-fatal shooting incidents reported above includes only incidents, it is not a count of victims. In April, one incident in Zone 1 had a total of 13 non-fatal victims (in addition to 2 people killed).

___________________________________


A few statistics of note:

  • The total number of homicides through August 2022 is the same as than the number through August 2021.
  • The total number of non-fatal shooting incidents through July decreased from 114 in 2021 to 91 in 2022.
  • Homicides in August 2022 were the 60% less than in 2021 and 30% less than in 2020.
  • 12 non-fatal shooting incidents in August is less than the 14 in 2021.
  • There were no homicides in police zones 3, 4 or 6 in August.
  • Zones 1, 2, and 5 each had 1 homicide each in August 2022.
  • There were no non-fatal shooting incidents in zones 2 and 4 in August.
  • Unfortunately, there were 6 non-fatal shooting incidents in zone 5 in August.
  • The most non-fatal shooting incidents in 2022 have been in zones 1 and 5 (23 each).
  • This year, the most homicides have been in zone 1 (11 homicides).

Using a public health approach to violence prevention 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?
Facts & Stats Archive:
Pittsburgh Police
2021 Annual Statistical Report

If you really want to know what your Pittsburgh Police were doing in 2021, see the 2021 Annual Statistical Report which was released on May 11. The 131 page report covers everything from neighborhood crime and arrest statistics to personnel distribution and disciplinary actions.
Tips for You:

Tip #1:
Keep Track of Your Gun

Other than cash, guns seem to be the most frequently stolen item in the City of Pittsburgh! Each week in Zone 5 alone, there are 2 to 6 guns stolen. They are usually taken from unoccupied homes and cars.

Nobody knows exactly where these guns will be used, but they will likely cause harm to someone, somewhere.

By keeping your gun locked and in a gun safe, you can prevent it from getting into the wrong hands and causing a tragedy.

If you care, do the right thing!

Tip #2:
The Right Activities for Your Children Are Available

Since school is now back in session, it is time to find the right out-of-school time activities for your children. Fortunately, there are plenty of outstanding programs in every neighborhood to choose from.

Academics, athletics, arts, sports, faith-based, recreation and more are available to you and/or your children. Some of these activities have a cost (but help is usually available if you ask), others are free.

The people who we associate with are important determinants of our future success, so make sure you surround yourself and your children with positive influences. Informal or formal mentoring is a component of most youth development programs.

If you need assistance finding the right activities or programs, please contact our Reach Outreach team members or STOPTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov.
Your Public Safety Council
Needs YOU!

Your zone's Public Safety Council is a place to go to stay aware of important developments relating to public safety in your police zone. It's also a great place to get to know your local police on a personal basis.

Public Safety Councils are run by residents and are open to all.

The usual meeting schedule is:







For connecting or other information about your Public Safety Council, click on the zone to send an email to the appropriate SaferTogether Coordinator:

Zones 1 & 5: Emily Embrey

Zones 2 & 3: Ian Reynolds

Zones 3 & 6: John Tokarski
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.

Please report any such disputes or issues to: STOP the Violence Office or text to 412-522-7286.
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.
August Poll Responses

Poll #1:
Do you know anyone who might be interested in the Student Police Academy?

  • Yes 23%
  • No 77%

Poll #2:
Is there anyone you can refer to the Citizens Police Academy?
  • Yes 30%
  • No 70%

Poll #3:
Would you like Assistant Director Jones to visit your organization?

  • Yes 72%
  • No 28%

Poll #4:
Did you attend a National Night Out event this year?

  • Yes 43%
  • No 57%

Poll #5:
Did you enjoy the National Night Out event that you attended?

  • Yes 72%
  • No 28%

Poll #6:
Would you consider referring someone to StopTheViolence@PittsburghPa.gov?

  • Yes 58%
  • No 21%
  • Maybe 21%

Poll #7:
Do you live or work in th City of Pittsburgh?

  • Yes 90%
  • No 10%

Thank you for responding.

What can you do to help?

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.
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.
Zone 1 - Northside Public Safety Council

Thursday October 6, 2022
(and every 1st Thursday)
5:30 pm

In-Person
at Propel Northside -
1805 Buena Vista Street, Pittsburgh 15202

& Virtual
To request virtual connecting info, send an email HERE
Zone 5 Citizens Public Safety Council

Tuesday October 11, 2022
7:00 pm

100% Virtual

To connect click HERE

Zinna Scott
President
Zone 5 Citizens Public Safety Council
Liz Style
President
Zone 3 Public Safety Council

Zone 3 Public Safety Council

Thursday October 27, 2022
(and every 4th Thursday)
6:00 pm

100% Virtual

To connect click HERE
Zone 6 (West End Area) ONLY:
More 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.
988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Don't hesitate to call.

For more information on the Lifeline, including statistics on effectiveness and how YOU can become a trained responder, please click HERE.

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.
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.

Darnell Drewery at the Center for Victims at 1-412-758-9237 or ddrewery@centerforvictims.org.
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 a chaplain.  Locations in East Liberty, Lincoln-Lemington and Wilkinsburg. Even if you don’t have insurance, please come.

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

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.
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.
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.
Melanin Mommies

Latrice “Phoenix” Rose started Melanin Mommies out of a concern for family members of victims who are 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. 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.
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.
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..
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.

Dan Emerick, MDiv, MSW – Trauma Response Team Manager
Teen Dating Violence

Since one in three teens is a victim of teen dating violence, you probably know someone who has been a victim.

Click HERE for resources on teen dating violence. Click on the picture for a Teen Dating Violence Action Action Guide.
Other:

  • Alma Illery Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services Office:
412-244-4700
  • City of Pittsburgh Dept. of Public Safety’s Victims of Crime Office:
412-707-2988
  • Dr. Staci Ford: 412-277-4616
  • Jessica Gurley, LCSW: (412) 204-6934
  •  RESOLVE Crisis Center - 24 hours: 1-888-796-8226
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