February STOP the Violence Newsletter

Special: Mayor Gainey At South Hills Coalition for Peace Event

February 25, 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

Speaking Up: Mayor Ed Gainey
Something You Can Do: Participate in the Next Student Police Academy
Success Stories & Solutions: Alonzo Cotton & PIRC Movement
Are You Aware: Teen Dating Violence is Real
Something You Can Do: Pray for Peace and Against Violence
Training: Group Violence Intervention; Gun Violence and Public Health Webinar Series; Conflict Resolution Training and More
Facts and Stats: From January 2022
Tips for You
Coming Events
Community Resources

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STOP The Violence Newsletter

Speaking Up:

Mayor Ed Gainey

"YOU are the answer"

"No one can save us but us"

"We've got to change our ways"

Mayor Gainey spoke eloquently at the February 11, 2021 Stop the Violence Prayer Vigil and Rally organized by the South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace and held at Lighthouse Cathedral Church on Pittsburgh’s southside. Here are a few highlights from his short talk:

Mayor Ed Gainey

at Stop the Violence Prayer Vigil and Rally

“There are three things I’d like to focus on:

"The first thing is that there’s nobody coming in our neighborhoods to stop the violence except for the ones who live in the neighborhood. If we are going to stop the violence in our neighborhood, its’ not going to be because downtown, an elected body or anybody else is coming into our community. It’s because we do what we do every day.

"The only ones that can heal us is us. They can bring the guns in here, but that doesn’t mean that we have to use the guns. It’s up to us. We look for everybody else to come in here and save us. But let me be real about why that will never happen. Because we have always been the ones to save us.

"If I can get you to see how powerful you are, then there are some things that you can understand. You are the answer. No one can save our kids but us.

"Second, if you want to stop this killing, don’t look around, look inside.

"Third, until we stand up, until we take back the corner, until we adults get off social media arguing and fighting with one another like they’re 10 or 11 years old, but in the next sentence saying ‘we need peace’. Now how are you saying ‘we need peace’ while you’re on social media talking violence?

Apostle Maurice Trent,

Mayor Gainey

and Richard Carrington at Stop the Violence Prayer Vigil and Rally

"We’ve got to change our ways. How are we going to save us when you hide in the silence? Somebody knows what’s happening in these killings. We look downtown to police to solve it, but we won’t cooperate. But you’ll hug a mother that lost a child and say ‘I feel for you’. How you feel for me if you ain’t answering the call of my child? It’s time for us to step up.

"The healing begins with you, not downtown, not the police, not the DA. The healing begins with you.”

If you’d like to Mayor Gainey's entire talk, just click on the picture below.

Reverend Eileen Smith, Program Director

South Pittsburgh Coalition for Peace

Poll #1. Do you agree with Mayor Gainey?

Yes, totally

Select

Yes, partially

Select

Something You Can Do:

Participate in the Next

Student Police Academy

High School Students Can Sign Up Now!

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police sponsors an opportunity for High School students in the Pittsburgh community to become closely acquainted with the roles and responsibilities of the Police Bureau. The Pittsburgh Student Police Academy brings the police and Pittsburgh’s high school community closer together in a setting that offers a sample of police training to each participant.

Applications are being accepted for the spring session of the Student Police Academy (SPA) until Friday, March 4, 2022. The academy is open to all interested high school students in grades 9-12, whether they live inside or outside of the City of Pittsburgh.

Classes will be taught virtually from 6:30 to 8:00 pm starting Thursday, March 10, 2022 at Point Park University in Downtown Pittsburgh. The SPA meets weekly for 8 weeks. The academy exposes students to some of the experiences they might have just as if they were cadets training at the Pittsburgh Police Academy to be police officers.

According to John Tokarski, SaferTogether Coordinator and facilitator of the SPA: “a student who

enrolls in our academy should expect to leave with at least three wonderful experiences!

“First, students will better understand the breadth of education, understanding of policy and importance of relevant statues that factor in the various decisions that police officers must make on a daily basis...often within a split second.

“Second, teens will have a forum to meet and get to know police officers from our Police Bureau's various divisions (uniform, detectives, bomb squad, S.W.A.T., vice & narcotics, K-9, etc.) simply as human beings...and vice-versa!

“Finally, it will expose students to potential careers in criminal justice and/or as first responders. Those careers could be with the Pittsburgh Police, or in a county, state or federal law enforcement agency or any other of the many other areas of criminal justice, including forensic science, law, and others.”

Please direct any questions to John Tokarski at: john.tokarski@pittsburghpa.gov

The application can be found HERE.

Poll #2. Do you know a student who could benefit from the Student Police Academy?

Yes

Select

Success Stories & Solutions:

Success Story:

Alonzo Cotton

From Trouble to Purpose

Alonzo Cotton grew up on the Northside, the Hill District and Homewood. His dad died when he was 12 and around age 15 "I went downhill. I had no good male example, so I fell victim to looking for the wrong things. I started drinking, hanging around in bars, being part of things and with people that weren’t good for me and landed me in bad situations. I ended up doing everything from fighting to shooting and stabbing and other violence (which I now regret) because I had poor self-esteem and couldn't control my emotions. When people said things I took it the wrong way and developed a bad temper. Once my

Alonzo Cotton

temper rose, I started fighting and ended up going to jail. I attended Westinghouse High School. When I was 19, I was part of the Neighborhood Youth Corps, which led to a job with the city as a trash collector. But I still had a temper and ended up going to jail.”

Alonzo had various jobs and spent over 25 years in prison before finding his purpose and turning things around.

“Finally, I got sick and tired of struggling – going back to jail, putting myself in positions where I needed to use violence, hurting my family and myself. I realized that it’s ignorant to do the same things over and over and expect different results.

“Around 2017, I was in Allegheny County Jail and applied to be on the HOPE pod, a residential unit in the Jail for people who needed to change and wanted a faith-based environment. I was looking for something positive and spiritual so I could improve myself spiritually and educationally.

Reverend Caitlin Werth

Formerly Pre-Release Director for Foundation of HOPE, now pastor at Waverly Presbyterian Church

“While I was there, I met Reverend Caitlin Werth and talked to her a lot. When you get around the people in HOPE, you learn more and want to do better. Without education, information and a desire to do things the right way, you don’t have anything.

“Reverend Caitlin encouraged me to go to the HOPE Aftercare office on the Northside once I was released. There, I met Pete, a mentor for men returning to the community. He also helped me a lot.

“I also got involved with PIRC Movement - a support community for reentering people, their families, supporters and interested community members. It meets every Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Now, I want to be a positive example and help other people. A lot of us need help out here.

“I now have a relationship with God and a purpose. I don't want my kids and grandkids to go down the same road I did. I want to be a positive example in the community.

“I'm now 66 years old, partially retired, and work part-time as a barber at the Barber's Inn in East Liberty and I try to help people. I give free haircuts for any PIRC Movement member. My advice for young people today is to focus on your family and education and work hard. If you're busy, you won't have time to get into trouble. And stay away from drugs.”

To meet Alonzo, just stop into the Barber's Inn barbershop, 6010 Broad Street in East Liberty, or the Northside PIRC Movement meeting on Tuesday night at 7:00 pm (540 Suismon Street - Rear, 15212) or call 412-889-0928.

Mayor Gainey with Alonzo Cotton at The Barber's Inn

Solution:

PIRC Movement

A Supportive Community For Returning Citizens

Positive Initiative to Reinforce Change (PIRC) Movement is a weekly self-help support group run by and intended for individuals reentering the community from incarceration and their families, supporters and other compassionate community members. During the one-hour meeting, participants share their challenges; learn about resources; network; and set goals for addressing social, relational, intellectual, vocational, spiritual, and emotional needs. Since everyone has life experiences to share, ANYONE (including YOU) is welcome to participate and join!

PIRC Movement is a project of Foundation of HOPE, a local nonprofit whose mission is “empowering people impacted by the criminal justice system to renew their faith, rebuild their lives and restore positive relationships.” Foundation of HOPE also offers a comprehensive array of services to reentering individuals, including basic needs assistance (transportation, clothing, ID’s, toiletries, furniture), housing and employment support and referrals, counseling, and one-on-one mentoring.

At each Tuesday night PIRC Movement meeting, participants share their experiences with the group. The meeting is run by a conductor. One conductor is Rodger Jay, Peer Support Specialist for Foundation of HOPE. Rodger admits that he “was part of the problem” which resulted in him being shot in the head. Ultimately, he spent 25 years in various prisons. “PIRC Movement is important because it shows individuals coming out of prison that they’re not alone in the struggle and don’t have to go back to prison. We uplift one another. It’s just so important.”

Rodger Jay

PIRC Movement Conductor

& Peer Support Specialist for Foundation of HOPE

Charles Hamilton

PIRC Movement Member

One regular participant is Charles Hamilton, age 76. Charles spent 22 years in prisons before joining PIRC Movement in 2014. He obtained his first solo apartment 4 years ago. Charles says: “PIRC Movement is my community. They’ve been where I’ve been, so they understand the challenges. They care. I’ve enjoyed watching everyone advance and be more successful, even those who have never been to jail. It gives me inspiration!”

To refer someone to PIRC Movement or for more information or, if you'd like to start a PIRC Movement group in your community, just show up at 7:00 pm on Tuesday at 540 Suismon Street (Rear), 15212 (Northside) OR contact Foundation of HOPE's Aftercare office at 412-321-3343 or email: HERE.

Above - Some of the participants at a recent PIRC Movement meeting. The empty seat is reserved for YOU. Come anytime.

Poll #3. Do you know someone who could benefit from PIRC Movement?

Yes

Select

Poll #4: Can you attend a meeting of PIRC Movement to share your experiences?

Yes

Select

Are You Aware:

Teen Dating Violence is Real

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Since one in three teens is a victim of teen dating violence, you probably know someone who has been a victim. Unfortunately, there's not enough talk about it and help provided for it.

Click HERE for resources on teen dating violence.

Click below for some tools to bring up this important topic.

Poll #5: Did you take a look at the Teen Dating Violence Action Guide?

Yes

Select

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.

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."

The Reverend Paul Roberts

Senior Pastor

Eastminster Presbyterian Church

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."

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.

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.

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.

Webinar Series: Gun Violence and Public Health

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!

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.

How to Heal After a Homicide Webinar

For an insightful discussion on healing from trauma and access to resources necessary to heal after a loss, experts Dr. Toya Jones (Assistant Professpr at the Univesity 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 January 2022

Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to January 31, 2022. These only cover the City, not any areas of Allegheny County which are outside of the City.

A few statistics of note from January 2022:

Homicides are down 1 from 2021 and up 1 from 2020.
There were no homicides in Police Zones 2, 3, and 4.
Non-fatal shooting incidents are up 25% from 2021.
During January Zone 5 had 4 non-fatal shooting incidents, the most in the city.
Zones 4 had 0 non-fatal shooting incidents.
One non-fatal shooting incident could not be placed in a zone. This can occurs when a victim appears at the hospital and information cannot be verified.

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?

City of Pittsburgh Police Zones

Tips for You:

#1: Know where your gun is at all times

Police regularly report instances when lawfully owned firearms are used in unanticipated ways by relatives, friends and strangers.

By keeping track of the firearm at all times, you can prevent these unanticipated shootings, some of which have resulted in deaths of young children.

To assist you in keeping your gun safe, 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: Refer those with a need to help

Fortunately, the Pittsburgh region has a variety of fine services available to people in need. By knowing how to access those services we can all be ready to help our friends, neighbors or strangers who have needs that we can't solve ourselves.

Almost anything that a person would need to stay alive -- housing, food, counseling, jobs, education, community and more -- is available for little or no cost from the County, the City, a house of worship, or a nonprofit.

If you don't know how to access necessary services, call 211 (the United Way Helpline). A few community resources are listed at the end of this Newsletter.

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.

January Survey Responses

Survey #1:

Are personal stories like Martin's important to share?

Yes 93%
No 2%
No opinion 5%

Survey #2:

Do you know anyone who needs help after a loss or with their trauma?

Yes 52%
No 48%

Survey #3:

Did you take a look at the Steelers' video?

Yes 75%
No 25%

Survey #4:

Have you ever shared the STOP the Violence Newsletter with anyone?

Yes 55%
No 45%

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.

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.

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.

Center for Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents

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.

East Liberty Family Health Care Center

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.

Foundation of HOPE

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 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.

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..