Register NOW for
Student Police Academy
& Citizens Police Academy
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David A. Jones is New Assistant Public Safety Director
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STOP the Violence
News & Updates
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The City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Office exists to change the community narrative about violence and stop the spread of the disease of violence in the City. While we are concerned as well with the surrounding areas and will share solutions and events in those areas, we only have jurisdiction in the City. We would be pleased to share our knowledge and strategies with any jurisdiction outside of the City.
Table of Contents
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Something You Can Do: Student Police Academy Fall 2022
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Something You Can Do: Citizens Police Academy Fall 2022
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New Resource: New Assistant Public Safety Director David A. Jones
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Activity Report: National Night Out 2022
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Solutions: 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline
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Solutions Update: STOP the Violence Community Investment Grants
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Solutions Archive: Mayor Ed Gainey On Building A More Peaceful Pittsburgh
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Solutions Archive: Pittsburgh Plan For Peace
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Solutions: StopTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov
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Something You Can Do: Pray for Peace and Against Violence
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Training: Group Violence Intervention; Gun Violence and Public Health Webinar Series; Conflict Resolution Training and More
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Facts and Stats: From July 2022
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Facts & Stats Archive: Pittsburgh Police 2021 Annual Statistical Report
- Tip for You
- Coming Events
- Community Resources
Please complete the 7 polls in this Newsletter
(#7 is at the very end).
Please encourage the people in your networks to subscribe to the Newsletter. If anyone you forward the Newsletter to would unsubscribe, you will be unsubscribed as well (and would need to resubscribe to receive the Newsletter again).
If you're interested in helping STOP the violence, please send us an email by clicking HERE.
Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh
STOP The Violence Newsletter
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Something You Can Do:
Participate in the Next
Student Police Academy
High School Students Can Sign Up Now!
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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.”
The application can be found HERE.
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Poll #1: Do you know someone who might be interested in the Student Police Academy?
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Something You Can Do:
Participate in the Next
Citizens Police Academy
YOU Can Sign Up Now!
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Citizens Police Academy is an opportunity for citizens in the Pittsburgh community to meet some police officers, get a sample of police training and be exposed to the operations of the Police Bureau. The Fall 2022 Citizens Police Academy will be offered at the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill.
Said one past Citizens Police Academy participant: “I never knew how many duties officers had and how many laws and procedures they had to know and how much specialized knowledge many of the officers had. It was really invaluable to me.”
If you’re interested, please complete an application and give permission for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to conduct a background check.
The application can be found HERE.
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Poll #2: Is there anyone you can refer to the Citizens Police Academy?
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New Resource:
Please Welcome
David A. Jones
Your New Assistant Public Safety Director for Community Affairs
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After an extensive search, David A. Jones began duties as Assistant Director of Community Affairs with the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety on August 22, 2022.
Mr. Jones has served for over 30 years in the private and non-profit sectors, including service with Allegheny County and the federal governments.
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Since 2006, Mr. Jones has been President of D.A. Jones and Associates Consulting. Mr. Jones has conducted trainings and seminars on professional development, motivational speaking, and crisis intervention and leadership development. He provides a plethora of work and life experiences that range from the humorous to the potentially life threatening. He also provides maturity and practical solutions to workplace problems.
He is a trainer, motivational speaker and mentor. With a passion to give back to the community, he understands how important it is to equip people with the necessary tools in order for them to succeed. He inspires people to always be their best.
In his position as Assistant Director of Community Affairs, Mr. Jones will lead various leadership groups consisting of community leaders, educators and non-profits to further community relationship objectives for the Department, while serving as a Department representative in public forums. He will play an integral leadership role in the development of new programs and initiatives to deliver needed services to our communities and respond to their needs. He may also serve as a liaison for the Department while working alongside other City departments, outside agencies and other groups.
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Poll #3: Would you like Assistant Director Jones to visit your organization?
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Activity Report:
National Night Out - 2022
Did YOU meet someone new?
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Pittsburgh celebrated National Night Out – 2022 in a big way, with 38 registered events occurring throughout the City, and hundreds of people participating. Highly visible were Public Safety Department personnel from Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services, Park Rangers, Administration, and others. In addition, City Council, Mayor Gainey’s Office and others were all around town enjoying the fellowship. According to Pittsburgh National Night Out Coordinator John Tokarski, “we had more registered events than ever before, the weather was wonderful and a good time was had by all!”
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National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
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Zone 1
Emily Embrey, SaferTogether Coordinator for Police Zones 1 and 5 commented that: “NNO is a great opportunity to open up fruitful discussions, build relationships between community members and the various facets of the Department of Public Safety, and for community building.
"Even the more intimate events I attended were wonderful opportunities for neighbors to meet one another, share positive stories and concerns, and build relationships with Public Safety. The spirit of NNO is very much in line with what the Safer Together Coordinators strive for every day in our work, and it is so heartening to see it come together on that day throughout so many communities and in so many ways."
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Zone 2
For Ian Reynolds, SaferTogether Coordinator for Police Zones 2 and 3, “the importance of national night out is bringing communities together to share good times and build new relationships wire community leaders and public safety officials."
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Ian Reynolds, SaferTogether Coordinator for Police Zones 2 and 3, said "National Night Out is also a great opportunity to recruit more people to become a part of community groups they might not know existed. Gathering contacts during these events is so helpful by adding names and phone numbers to community groups they now can receive updates, dates of meetings and of events.
"We must continue to grow community groups in all of our zones to help out the communities we live in. We need strong community people to help our communities grow and flourish.”
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Zone 4
From John Tokarski, SaferTogether Coordinator for Police Zones 4 and 6:
“All of the public safety personnel I spoke with really enjoyed having a chance to meet and get to know more of the people they serve all year long.”
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Zone 5
From Emily Embrey, SaferTogether Coordinator for Police Zones 1 and 5: “One event I had the pleasure of attending that particularly embodied the NNO spirit was in Homewood and arranged through a partnership between We The People and Buy Back the Block Movement.
"After a small but successful event in 2021, community organizers in Homewood wanted to make a more visible and even more community-focused event this year, which included food, arts, roller-skating, and an outdoor movie.
"This year's event was such a success that they are already planning for a multi-day safety-related community event next year that will conclude with National Night Out."
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Zone 6
From John Tokarski, SaferTogether Coordinator for Police Zones 4 and 6: "National Night Out is and always has been a great celebration of tradition! One night a year first responders, particularly police, engaging alongside hard working, dedicated citizens as they come together to appreciate each other!
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According to Tokarski: This year's numerous events demonstrated the need and successful kick-off to Mayor Gainey's Pittsburgh Plan For Peace initiative! Hopefully, this will be just one of many events and initiatives that can further strengthen relationships between first responders, citizens and particularly children and youth, in building a city that's safer to live, love, work and worship in!"
If you have any comments to share about your National Night Out experience this year, please share them with the us by sending an email to the STOP the Violence Office. Your comments may end up in a future Newsletter!
National Night Out – 2023 will be held on August 1. It’s never too early to start planning!
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Poll #4: Did you attend a National Night Out event this year?
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Poll #5: Did you enjoy the National Night Out event that you attended?
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Solutions:
988 Suicide Prevention Hotline
An important, but rarely discussed, type of violence is suicide. There are far more suicides than homicides in the United States most years.
One resource to prevent suicides is the newly renamed 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline).
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When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
The Lifeline’s network of over 200 crisis centers has been in operation since 2005, and has been proven to be effective. It’s the counselors at these local crisis centers who answer the contacts the Lifeline receives every day. Numerous studies have shown that callers feel less suicidal, less depressed, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after speaking with a Lifeline counselor.
For more information on the Lifeline, including statistics on effectiveness and how YOU can become a trained responder, please click HERE.
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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 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 September.
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Jay Gilmer
Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Coordinator
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According to Jay Gilmer, the City's STOP the Violence Coordinator, "we are very excited to assist organizations that have developed meaningful, positive, supportive, trusting relationships with at-risk individuals. Those relationships are the key because they are a link to the formation of a positive identity for someone.
"Unfortunately, there won't be enough money to help every outstanding applicant and amounts granted will be smaller than the requested amounts, but another round of grants will be available in 2023.
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"Our commitment to this work is long-term because there are no quick fixes!"
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Solutions Archive:
Mayor Ed Gainey
On
Building A More Peaceful Pittsburgh
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This editorial appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on July 7, 2022 |
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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.
From Uvalde, Texas, to right here in Pittsburgh, cities and towns across the county are facing an epidemic of gun violence that continues to take thousands of innocent lives. Every moment that goes by without bold action to reverse this trend is a moment, and maybe another life, lost. We must be — and can be — that community I once remembered on Lawn Street.
Building that community is a task for everyone, but it’s the job of my administration to take the lead.
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.
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It is a plan that calls for a police force that prioritizes community policing and best-in-class training that will help to remove illegal guns from our streets. This means effective de-escalation and relationship building. But we will not be held hostage by the people responsible for the violence in our city: We are committed to this approach to solve the root causes of violence in order to create peace for generations to come. We’ll be working to create a culture within our Bureau of Police that fosters and emphasizes community relationships as a way to meet law enforcement goals. Only when our officers work alongside the communities they serve can we begin to chart a path for peace.
That’s why the plan focuses our policing resources on responding to violent crimes, while creating high-quality diversion pathways with alternative response measures for those who need it. Young people who are going down the wrong road need to know there is hope for change, for a brighter future. This plan ensures that the path to peace and well-being is high-quality, credible, visible and within reach for every resident.
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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.
Safety is a sacred obligation of anyone entrusted to serve the public. And because we can’t wait another day, we have already put the plan into action. We have announced a national search for a new police chief committed to the vision. We have opened our STOP the Violence Community Investment Grants application so we can continue to build out and fund our community partners doing violence prevention work. These grants expand the effectiveness of our Group Violence Intervention outreach, which brings together community members, law enforcement officials and social service providers to reduce violence. And on the South Side we have put into action our three-pronged approach involving law enforcement, code enforcement and fire enforcement to make the streets safer.
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These measures, along with the other principles outlined in our plan, will take time to achieve the results we need. Overhauling our city’s public safety system and approach to gun violence will not happen overnight, but we are committed to an objective evaluation of the results. By measuring outcomes based on data and evidence, we will be able to align our resources to strategies that work.
We also need bold leadership from our elected leaders in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. We need to move with fierce urgency to get guns off the streets and out of the hands of our kids. People are dying — innocent schoolkids and teachers are dying — and for far too long our leaders have refused to take up meaningful gun control legislation like red-flag laws, banning assault-style weapons like the AR-15, and holding gun owners responsible for reporting when their weapons are lost or stolen.
My administration is hard at work to turn the tide 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.
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Solutions Archive:
Mayor Ed Gainey's
Pittsburgh Plan For Peace
"It's going to take all of us"
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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".
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You can find the entire Pittsburgh Plan For Peace HERE.
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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.
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"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," .
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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. |
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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."
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Reverend Cornell Jones
Director of Outreach
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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.
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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!
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Poll #6: Would you consider referring someone to StopTheViolence@PittsurghPa.gov?
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Something You Can Do:
Pray For Peace and Against Violence
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Anyone can pray for peace and against violence either alone or as part of the STOP the Violence Prayer Team. If prayer is important to you, please pray whenever and wherever possible against violence.
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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." |
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If you, your pastor or spiritual leader or your place of worship or church sign up for the non-denominational prayer team, you will receive periodic prayer request emails and notices about faith-based initiatives to prevent violence and increase peace in our community. You can sign up HERE.
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Training:
Group Violence Intervention +
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Pittsburgh's Group Violence Intervention initiative (GVI) is a proven strategy to reduce shootings and homicides in urban neighborhoods by using a multi-aspect strategy:
- informed street outreach and social services to prevent violence,
- involved community members reinforcing community norms rejecting violence; and
- law enforcement in partnership with the community when other means are not effective.
For additional information on GVI, including its history and rationale, see this hour-long webinar from Mayors Against Illegal Guns entitled Re-imagining Public Safety: Group Violence Intervention and Intimate Partner Intervention: Webinar. The password is: MAIGUn1versity!
Pittsburgh’s Group Violence Intervention (GVI) violence prevention strategy, including the complete logic model, was featured in the October 2021 STOP the Violence Newsletter which can be accessed HERE.
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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.
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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.
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Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore and Seattle Council President Lorena Gonzalez headed the list of speakers in a ten hour webinar on August 18 and 19, 2021 organized by the Center on Media, Crime and Justice at John Jay College to help journalists and the public gain greater understanding on efforts to address the rising levels of gun violence in at-risk communities. |
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The series focused on prevention and intervention strategies. Leaders of community intervention strategies and programs in Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Sacramento discussed what is and isn’t working in their cities. Pittsburgh’s efforts compare quite favorably with these efforts.
The webinar consists of seven sessions, each lasting from 30 to 90 minutes. A table of contents is available so you can watch a particular session. Please take a look HERE.
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Conflict Resolution Training
If you would like more information on violence prevention and some suggestions on ways to be involved with anti-violence activities, please click on and watch the two-hour training video to the right. This training was conducted in January 2021.
Our outreach teams include violence interrupters, but there are lots of other roles to play. After viewing the training video, please let us know your thoughts and how you'd like to be involved!
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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.
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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:
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Facts & Stats:
From July 2022
Below are selected crime statistics from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. These statistics are from the period January 1 to July 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.
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City of Pittsburgh Police Zones: |
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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).
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A few statistics of note:
- The total number of homicides through July 2022 is 6 more than the number through July 2021 - a 17% increase.
- The total number of non-fatal shooting incidents through July decreased from 100 in 2021 to 79 in 2022.
- Homicides in July 2022 were the same as in 2021 and less than in 2020.
- 11 non-fatal shooting incidents in July is less than the 13 in 2021.
- There were no homicides in police zones 1 or 3 in July.
- Zones 2, 4, 5, and 6 had 1 homicide each in July 2022.
- Zones 4, 5, and 6 each had 1 non-fatal shooting incident in July.
- Unfortunately, there were 5 non-fatal shooting incidents in zone 2 in July.
- The most non-fatal shooting incidents in 2022 have been in zone 1 in July.
- This year, the most homicides have been in zones 1 and 3 - 10 each.
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?
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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.
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Tip for You:
Find the Right Activities for Your Children!
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.
If you need assistance finding the right activities or programs, please contact our Reach Outreach team members or STOPTheViolence@PittsburghPA.Gov.
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Get Involved in Your Public Safety Council
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:
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Call Us If You Become Aware of a Dispute
If you hear of a school, social media or community dispute that needs to be defused before it leads to violence, please let us know. We would like to take positive steps to resolve such disputes before law enforcement must be called.
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Domestic Violence Help:
Violence is not an acceptable method to resolve issues between friends or partners. If there are threats, please seek help!
When in danger, call 911 immediately.
Some other resources are in the Domestic Violence Resource Guide is reproduced below and can be accessed HERE.
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July Poll Responses
Poll #1:
Can you attend a National Night Out event this year?
Poll #2:
Did you read this entire article (Ed Gainey's editorial)?
Poll #3:
Do you think that STOP the Violence Community Investment Grants are a good idea?
Poll #4:
Do you know a person who you would like to refer to StopTheViolence@PittsburghPa.gov?
Poll #5:
Do you worry about crime?
Thank you for responding.
What can you do to help?
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Previous Newsletters
Click on the dates below to find past issues of the City of Pittsburgh STOP the Violence Newsletter:
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Do You Have Any Ideas?
The Stop the Violence Newsletter is produced monthly by Jay Gilmer, Coordinator of the STOP the Violence Office of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety.
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Coming Events
If you want to receive periodic event announcements or are aware of an anti-violence event that is open to the public, please click HERE to send us a notice or announcement. Thank you.
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Zone 1 - Northside Public Safety Council
Thursday September 8, 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
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Liz Style
President
Zone 3 Public Safety Council
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Zone 3 Public Safety Council
Thursday September 22, 2022
(and every 4th Thursday)
6:00 pm
100% Virtual
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Zone 6 (West End Area) ONLY: |
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Community Resources
If you are aware of an resource that can contribute to violence prevention or reducing the impact of violence, please click HERE to send us a notice or announcement. Thank you.
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1-412-330-4328
Offering world-renowned expertise in evaluating and treating children who have experienced traumatic life events or live with post-traumatic stress disorder. A program of Allegheny Health Network.
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Center for Victims
Hotline: 1-866-644-2882
Caring, professional staff is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week to respond to emergency needs of crime victims and witnesses, answer questions, and provide support. You can also call:
Valerie Dixon at the Center for Victims at 1-412-403-0194 or vdixon@venterforvictims.org.
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412-661-2802
A Federally Qualified Health Care Center providing a full range of medical, dental, pediatric, prenatal, and behavioral health services including staff therapists and workforce development. Locations in East Liberty, Lincoln-Lemington and Wilkinsburg. Even if you don’t have insurance, please come.
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540 Suismon Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Offering a variety of programs to prevent incarceration, chaplaincy and pre-release to serve individuals in Allegheny County Jail and aftercare to prevent recidivism. For information on their support community for reentering citizens, their families and community members, send an email HERE.
Please call if you need help or want to help:
Adult or Youth Diversion: 412-321-3343
Allegheny County Jail Chaplaincy: 412-350-2057
Allegheny County Jail Pre-Release: 412-350-1322
Jail or Prison Aftercare: 412-321-3343
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GriefShare
Numerous Locations
in Allegheny County
GriefShare is for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements: a video lesson, in-person group discussion, and personal reflection.
This weekly group is free (just purchase the workbook online), open to anyone, and is offered in numerous locations in western Pennsylvania. The 13 week series features a video and optional discussion. To be part of the next series starting in early 2022, just find a location and sign up on the website at www.griefshare.org.
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Highmark Caring Place
620 Stanwix Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
888-224-4673
As a peer support program, the Caring Place provides an environment where children, teens and adults can receive support from others their own ages who are going through very similar experiences, such as the loss of a parent or other loved one.
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Jeremiah’s Place
6435 Frankstown Avenue
15206 (Larimer)
412-924-0726
Pittsburgh’s only crisis nursery. It provides emergency child care services for children ages 0-6 for a few hours or days based on the needs of each individual family. All services provided are free, available for 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
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Melanin Mommies
Latrice “Phoenix” Rose started Melanin Mommies 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.
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Men’s Huddle Group
Paul B. Jones, Sr. experienced the death of his 19 year old son Jeremiah in 2017. He formed The Men’s Huddle Group as a support group for fathers who have lost children to gun violence and otherwise.
The Men’s Huddle Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in East Liberty (250 Highland Avenue, 15206 – across from Home Depot).
For additional information, contact Paul Jones via email at jonzboyz@aol.com or call anytime (24/7) at 412-613-1912.
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The MOMS Group
Support For Mothers
Tina Ford of Clairton formed Mothers of Murdered Sons (The MOMS Group) after the loss of her son in 2019.
The MOMS Group meets in Clairton on the third Saturday of each month. All are welcome, just call Tina in advance for the location. If transportation is a problem, just call Tina – MOMS sometimes arranges transportation or makes home visits to provide support.
For more information, see the MOMS Group Facebook page HERE or contact Tina Ford at 412-219-7157 or Momsgroup2020@gmail.com..
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412-261-1234
The Trauma Response Team cares for the acute needs of family and friends of homicide victims of gun violence across all of Allegheny County.
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Other:
- Alma Illery Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services Office:
412-244-4700
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Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 call or text
- City of Pittsburgh Dept. of Public Safety’s Victims of Crime Office:
412-707-2988
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Dr. Staci Ford: 412-277-4616
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Jessica Gurley, LCSW: (412) 204-6934
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RESOLVE Crisis Center - 24 hours: 1-888-796-8226
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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.
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Poll #7: Do you live or work in the City of Pittsburgh?
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Sign up here to receive the monthly City of Pittsburgh
STOP The Violence Newsletter
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