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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Strategy: A Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention-Part 1: We're doing it in Pittsburgh
- Activity Report: National Night Out 2021
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Activity Report: Student Police Academy: Summer 2021 Graduation
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Something You Can Do: Enter the Peace In The Streets Essay Contest
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Something You Can Do: Make The Pray It, Say It, Stop It Commitment and Join the STOP the Violence Prayer Team
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Learning: Group Violence Intervention + and 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.
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Strategy:
A Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention-Part 1
We're doing it in Pittsburgh!
There is much discussion about the solutions to violence and about using a public health approach to solving the problem. This will be the topic for several articles in the STOP the Violence Newsletter.
What is it?
The Centers for Disease Control have outlined the public health approach this way:
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Local Application:
The City of Pittsburgh uses Group Violence Intervention ("GVI") as its core strategy. GVI is derived from the evidence based focused deterrence strategy which is used in cities across the country. This effort is managed by the GVI Unit in the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and by Revered Cornell Jones, GVI Coordinator. For a greater description of the GVI strategy, see the October 2020 STOP the Violence Newsletter.
More on the Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention will appear in future issues of the STOP the Violence Newsletter.
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Are you interested in learning more about the public health approach to violence prevention?
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Activity Report:
National Night Out - 2021
Wonderful Time for Everyone!
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After being cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, National Night Out returned on August 3, 2021. “When considering that it wasn't held last year, some thought it may not be strong enough to make a comeback yet. But the celebrations returned stronger than ever,” said SaferTogether Coordinator John Tokarski. |
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“Some 32 registered events were held throughout the city, from door stoops and front yards to street blocks to playgrounds, all celebrating neighbors, children, friendships the community's partnership with public safety officials,” said Tokarski. All photos in this article are from 2021 National Night Out events. For lots more photos, see the Pittsburgh Police Facebook page. |
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Across the City, events occurred in dozens of neighborhoods, allowing neighbors to connect with each other and their first responders. "This was our best event ever! We had great fellowship and were visited by the local firefighters, mounted police, motorcycle cops, and our Zone 1 Commander," said Deacon Keith Kondrich, Aftercare Director at Foundation of HOPE on the Northside. |
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Jay Gilmer, STOP the Violence Coordinator and Emily Embrey, SaferTogether Coordinator on National Night Out |
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Emily Embrey, SaferTogether Coordinator, really enjoyed visiting neighborhoods in police zones 1 and 5 on National Night Out. She said that "in spite of a tumultuous year, it was very inspiring to see neighbors coming together and committing to learning, to community, and to one another’s safety. It says a lot about the importance of coming together to accomplish common goals, and how deeply human that desire is, no matter our differences." |
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According to Tokarski, “several of the events were new to celebrating NNO this year, but these organizers all said they'll be back in 2022!”
National Night Out will be celebrated on August 2, 2022. Start making your plans!
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Did you participate in National Night Out this year?
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Activity Report:
Student Police Academy - Summer 2021
Learning & Building Relationships
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The Summer 2021 Student Police Academy (SPA) came to a successful conclusion with the final class and graduation ceremony at Police Headquarters on Tuesday August 10. The nine students who graduated were joined by their parents at the graduation ceremony.
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this class was unique as it was held virtually except for the final class. Virtual classes allowed not only local high school students to participate, but also those from around the state. One student participated from Scranton, Pennsylvania, and even made the nearly five-hour drive with her family to attend graduation in person. |
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“One of the most rewarding outcomes from this particular class, in addition to the fact that they were simply great students to work with, is that many of them say they plan to re-enroll in next year’s class,” said Sergeant Tiffany Costa.
Enrollment is now underway for the Fall 2021 Student Police Academy. Classes will be every Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill. Sign-up forms are below in this Newsletter.
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The graduating class of the Summer 2021 Student Police Academy,
together with Chief Schubert and his team.
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Something You Can Do:
Enter The Peace In The Streets Essay Contest:
Deadline August 20
Who can you encourage to participate?
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"What will it take to bring peace to the streets?" is the topic of the Peace In The Streets essay contest sponsored by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). All Allegheny County residents between ages 14 and 18 are encouraged to enter.
Essay contest entries are due by email, together with the completed Registration Form, on August 20. Writers of the best essays will will win cash prizes up to $500! Click HERE for the Registration Form.
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Assistant Chief Lavonnie Bickerstaff
Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
and NOBLE Chapter President
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Something You Can Do:
Make the Pray It, Say It, Stop It Commitment in August
and Join the STOP the Violence Prayer Team
Make It, Pray It, Stop It Commitment:
Violence takes many forms -- guns, knives, fists, even words on social media. Some violence is far away in other states or countries, other violence is close to home, like violence in our streets and households.
Psalm 11:5 in the Bible, states: “The LORD tests honest people, but despises those who are cruel and love violence.” While the causes of violence are many and the solutions may vary, you can take the first step by praying against violence.
The STOP the Violence Office is encouraging concerned people to pray against violence. Can you make the Pray It, Say It, Stop It Commitment and pledge to name the problem of violence when you pray this month?
Your prayers can be part of the solution. Let’s Pray It, Say It, and Stop It!
If you can make the commitment this month, just let us know by completing the poll below.
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I will agree to the Pray It, Say It, Stop It Commitment for August 2021:
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Yes! I will pray myself and/or with my family and/or house of worship
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Join the STOP the Violence Prayer Team: |
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Stopping violence will take the efforts of the entire community – a community movement. 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. |
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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, formerly a chaplain at Western Penitentiary and now the City’s Group Violence Intervention Coordinator.
If you, your place of worship, your church, your pastor or your friends would like to be part of this effort in any way, please let us know by sending an email HERE.
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Learning:
Group Violence Intervention +
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Group Violence Intervention (GVI) is a strategy to reduce shootings and homicides in urban neighborhoods by using a three pronged strategy:
- law enforcement in partnership with the community,
- informed street outreach and social services to prevent violence, and
- involved community members reinforcing community norms rejecting violence.
For additional information on GVI, including its history and rationale, see this hour-long webinar from Mayors Against Illegal Guns entitled Re-imagining Public Safety: Group Violence Intervention and Intimate Partner Intervention: Webinar. The password is: MAIGUn1versity!
Pittsburgh’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) violence prevention strategy was featured in the October STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE. The non-law enforcement elements of GVI are coordinated by Rev. Cornell Jones who can be contacted at cornell.jones@pittsburghpa.gov.
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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.
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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Facts & Stats:
Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to July 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 July 2021:
- There were 35 homicides and 100 non-fatal shooting incidents.
- Homicides are up 47% from last year.
- 18 non-fatal shooting incidents is the third highest monthly total this year.
- There were 4 homicides for the third consecutive month (after 16 during March and April).
- Zones 2 has equaled its death total from 2020.
- Zones 3 and 4 have exceeded their entire 2020 non-fatal shooting incidents totals.
- Zone 6 has far exceeded its death total from 2020.
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?
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City of Pittsburgh Police Zones |
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Facts and Stats:
Why Crime Statistics Don't Tell The Whole Story
A July 14, 2021 CNN article discussed the need for careful analysis before reaching sweeping conclusions concerning crime trends, violence and solutions. The article concludes:
"As the United States grapples with an epidemic of gun violence and these reverberating impacts of homicide, it will take better research, consistent data collection and community-tailored approaches to understand and address the roots of violent crime. In the meantime, we can all benefit from a more critical, humane and nuanced understanding of how complicated crime data really is."
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To read the entire article, please click HERE.
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Tips for You:
#1: Store Your Gun Safely
If you own a firearm, it is important that you keep track of it at all times and store it safely. We regularly hear stories of accidents caused by children finding and discharging a firearm at home or when visiting. These accidents are preventable.
If there is a firearm in your home that would like to get rid of safely, please call your local police.
#2: Demonstrate How to Resolve Conflicts Peacefully
In order to teach younger generations how to act, all adults should be modeling good conflict resolution skills in public and in private.
Share that you see a counselor or participate in a support group or support community and how it helps you deal with the challenges of everyday life and that it's not necessary to resolve conflicts by fighting or making threats in person or on social media.
If you need to find support, or for further information, please utilize the resources mentioned in this Newsletter or contact the STOP the Violence Office.
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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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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July Survey Responses
Survey #1:
How will you participate in National Night Out in 2021?
- Attend one or more events 54%
- Attempt to organize an event 29%
- I am unable to participate this year 17%
Survey #2:
Do you do anything specific to reduce personal stress and/or trauma?
Thank you for responding.
What will you do?
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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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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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The Fall 2021 Civic Leadership Academy will meet virtually every Wednesday, 6-8:30 pm from September 22 until December 8. Applications are due by August 29, 2021 at midnight.
Click HERE for the further information and the application form.
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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
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.
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112 W. North Avenue
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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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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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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