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
-
Strategy: Pittsburgh's GVI - A Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention
-
Activity Report: Community Recognizes Peacemakers In Homewood
-
Something You Can Do: Join the STOP the Violence Prayer Team
-
Training: Group Violence Intervention; Gun Violence and Public Health Webinar Series; Conflict Resolution Training
- Facts and Stats
- Tips for You
- Coming Events
- Community Resources
Don't forget to complete the poll at the end of this Newsletter.
Please encourage the people in your networks to subscribe to the Newsletter. If anyone you forward the Newsletter to would unsubscribe, you will be unsubscribed as well (and would need to resubscribe to receive the Newsletter again).
If you're interested in helping STOP the violence, please send us an email by clicking HERE.
Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh
STOP The Violence Newsletter
|
|
Strategy:
A Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention-Part 2
|
|
Pittsburgh's GVI – A Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention
Pittsburgh’s Group Violence Intervention initiative (known as GVI) is a focused deterrence strategy to reduce shootings and homicides among high-risk populations. Such strategies are being used in communities across the country and can result in reductions in homicides up to 60%.
|
|
Pittsburgh chose this strategy due to its high success rate. According to City Councilman Reverend Ricky Burgess of Point Breeze, "our GVI initiative, based on the focused deterrence model (as researched and promoted by the National Network for Safe Communities), is the strategy utilized by the City of Pittsburgh to reduce violence. We are committed to doing whatever it takes for this strategy to be successful in saving lives in Pittsburgh."
|
|
Pittsburgh City Councilman
Reverend Ricky Burgess
|
|
While every city is different, there are certain fundamental dynamics of street violence that are constant. Consistent factors are the small number of people involved in violence, the immediate causes of shootings and the ability of trained team members to positively intervene in disputes.
The operation of GVI is depicted in the following logic model:
|
|
HOW DO I READ THE GVI LOGIC MODEL?
Far left column: Inputs (What GVI needs). These are materials that the organization or program takes in and then processes to produce the results desired by the organization. GVI requires outreach, services, training, community engagement and law enforcement cooperation.
Second column: Processes (What GVI does). These are what the program does to produce the desired. Processes can range from putting a piece of paper on a desk to manufacturing a space shuttle. However, logic models are usually only concerned with the major recurring processes associated with producing the results desired.
GVI requires the review of every shooting, communication with the target population, and use of all available resources and sanctions to encourage behavior change.
Third column: Measurable Outcomes. These are the tangible results of the major processes in the organization. GVI’s measurable outcome is a reduction in shootings and homicides. Pittsburgh’s goal is a 5% reduction in shootings annually.
Fourth column: Short-term Results. These are the positive impacts on those people whom GVI is designed to benefit. GVI’s short term result is increased direct communication with the target population to offer services and other assistance and community members speaking clearly and in different forums about their concerns about violence.
Final column: Long-term Results. Longer term, GVI should result in less violence, a change in the culture that promotes violence as a means to resolve disputes, fewer individuals in the criminal justice system, and more success by members of the target population.
|
|
WHAT DOES THE LOGIC MODEL TELL ME?
A logic model is a top-level depiction the flow of materials and processes to produce the results desired by a program. A logic model presents a picture of how the initiative is supposed to work. It explains why the strategy is a good solution to the problem being addressed: homicides and non-fatal shootings involving people who are part of high-risk social networks or groups.
Effective logic models make a clear statement of the activities that will bring about change and the results expected for the community and its people. A logic model also expresses the thinking behind an initiative's plan. It explains why the program ought to work.
Although the logic model captures the big picture, it is not an exact representation of everything that's going on. It should be detailed enough for the reader to grasp the major items that go into a program, what occurs to those inputs, the various measurable outcomes expected and the ultimate benefits/results.
|
|
If you have any questions about focused deterrence strategies or want to play a role in Pittsburgh's GVI, please contact the STOP the Violence Office at Jay.Gilmer@pittsburghpa.gov.
|
|
|
How well do you think you understand the GVI logic model?
|
|
I don't understand at all
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Are you interested in learning more about the GVI logic model?
|
|
|
|
Activity Report:
Community Recognizes Peacemakers
|
|
“Strength, determination and dedication to conflict resolution and saving lives in the community” by seven individuals were recognized on September 25 by the Prince Hall Masons at an event at House of Manna Faith Community in Homewood. A sample of the award is above. Honorees were: |
|
Jason Akers,
Pittsburgh Outreach Team Worker
|
|
Ernie Bey,
MAD DADS, Pittsburgh Outreach Team Worker and Artist
|
|
Dina “Free” Blackwell, Co-founder and Executive Director of House of Manna
|
|
Vaughn Rivers,
Violence Prevention Specialist and Co-Coordinator of the Reach Outreach Team
|
|
Amber Sloan,
Violence Interrupter and Mentor
|
|
Harry Watts,
Pittsburgh Outreach Team Worker and Coach
|
|
Ayodeji Young ("Coach Blue"),
Violence Prevention Specialist, Reach Outreach Team and Coach
|
|
David A. Jones, Community Relations Director West for the Masons, one of the event organizers, stated that “we thought it was more than appropriate to honor those champions who really help the community but rarely get recognition or honors. Their jobs are thankless. We want them to know that their work is being noticed and recognized and to continue in the fight.”
|
|
David A. Jones and
Honoree Harry Watts
|
|
Recipient Harry Watts said “I am very grateful to receive this award. I try to help out wherever I can with anything that can help in East Hills. I’m now working to bring back a youth football team to East Hills and could use help with that effort. I’m trying to give back to this community and show some light to it.”
|
|
“These community heroes deserve our respect and support. They live out their passion every day and we are grateful” said Jay Gilmer, City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Coordinator.
Rev. Cornell Jones, a member of the Masons chapter, encouraged the recognition of these individuals because of their “selfless service to the community, their willingness to intervene in sometimes dangerous situations, and their dedication to peaceful resolution of conflicts. The result of their efforts is countless lives saved.”
|
|
From left to right: Honorees Harry Watts, Jason Akers, Amber Sloan, Vaughn Rivers and Free Blackwell along with Rev. Cornell Jones. |
|
Something You Can Do:
Join the STOP the Violence Prayer Team
|
|
Stopping violence will take the efforts of the entire community. The ultimate objective of the City’s STOP the Violence office is to convert a culture of violence into a culture of non-violence. One component of this effort is the STOP the Violence Prayer Team.
“I believe that prayer changes things and the more people praying for the same things, the better,” said the Reverend Cornell Jones, formerly a chaplain at Western Penitentiary and now the City’s Group Violence Intervention Coordinator.
|
|
|
By signing 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 out community.
If you, your place of worship, your church, your pastor, spiritual leader or your friends would like to be part of this effort in any way, please let us know by sending an email HERE.
|
|
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 was featured in the October 2020 STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed 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!
|
|
Facts & Stats:
Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to September 30, 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 September 2021:
- There have been 45 homicides and 132 non-fatal shooting incidents this year.
- Homicides are up 21% from 2020 and up 55% from 2019.
- 2 homicides in September is tied with February for the fewest in a month this year.
- Non-fatal shooting incidents are up 41% from 2020 and up 48% from 2019.
- 17 non-fatal shooting incidents is very high, almost twice as many as last year.
- Zone 5 had 12 non-fatal shooting incidents (but no homicides) in September - a very high number.
- Zones 1 and 4 had no non-fatal shooting incidents in September.
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 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:
#1: Think Before You Act
In this time of division and the easy spread of insults, boasts and falsehoods, PLEASE think before doing something that could harm someone else and cause you to lose your future.
Our City's future depends on all of us doing our part. Including raising families, working and making life better for others. Losing that future over nothing is not in anyone's best interest.
Please think before you act!
#2: Know Who to Call
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.
|
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.
|
|
September Survey Responses
Survey #1:
Do you think improving awareness of and access to self-care will help reduce violence?
Survey #2:
Which of these components of the STOP the Violence Newsletter are most interesting to you?
- Coming Events 50%
- Community Resources 25%
- Training 12.5%
- Facts & Stats 12.5%
Thank you for responding.
How will you help?
|
Previous Newsletters
Click on the dates below to find past issues of the City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Newsletter:
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
412-661-2802
Staff therapists and a chaplaincy department. Even if someone doesn’t have insurance, please come. Locations in East Liberty, the Hill District and Lincoln-Lemington.
|
|
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. Check the website for location information.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s 24 hour Helpline:
1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to 741741
-
RESOLVE Crisis Center - 24 hours: 1-888-796-8226
|
|
|
Do you like to receive Coming Events information separately from the rest of the Newsletter?
|
|
|
|
Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh
STOP The Violence Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
