Leaders Come Together For Discussion About Urban Violence

From Bill Kaempffer, public safety spokesman:

Mayor Bill Finch hosted Governor Dannel Malloy Tuesday at a community discussion about urban violence and progress the City has made to reduce crime.

“Today, we have a wide range of people represented here,” said Mayor Finch. “Law enforcement. Community organizations. Community leaders. Lawmakers. That’s important because police alone can’t address this issue. Lawmakers can’t do it alone. The community can’t do it alone.”

Approximately 100 people attended the event, which highlighted ongoing efforts in Bridgeport to address both violence and its root causes. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes participated in the conversation.

“Curbing violence takes everybody in the community standing up and saying enough is enough,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy.

In 2013, Bridgeport has experienced a 20 percent drop in overall crime and homicides have been cut in half. Shooting incidents have dropped by 21 percent compared to this time last year.

“We have to do more,” said Mayor Finch. He thanked members of YANA, a group of women who lost children or loved ones to homicide, for their tireless advocacy for the cause.

Much of the dialogue focused on prevention.

· Charles Grady, the head of Project Longevity in Bridgeport, briefed the community about the initiative. The program, which was launched last year in New Haven and is poised to launch in Hartford, gathers young people associated with gangs or groups for a “call-in.” Community members express to the young people that the violence is destroying the fabric of their neighborhoods. Social service providers offer a way out of the lifestyle, stating that if the young people opt for change, they will be moved to the front of the line for services that will help them change their lives. Law enforcement then has a frank conversation explaining that if the violence continues, the first gang that shoots or kills someone will face the full weight of local, state and federal law enforcement. Not just the shooter but his entire gang. After Bridgeport’s call-in last month, 30 percent of the youths heard the message and requested services, Grady said.

· Mayor Finch also announced the upcoming launch of StreetSafe Bridgeport. Modeled after a program in Boston, RYASAP (the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership) has hired four street outreach workers and a supervisor. The outreach workers, who often grew up on the same streets and engaged in some of the same behaviors, engage at-risk youths from 16 to 24 years old, build trust and then attempt to connect them with networks of non-profits that can provide services, said RYASAP Executive Director Robert Francis. “They are out there building healthy relationships and overcoming mistrust.”

· ABCD Inc. (Action for Bridgeport Community Development) works with parents, who sign contracts to work with their children to develop skill sets in anger management, conflict resolution, interview skills and workplace readiness, among others.

“So much has come from collaboration and cooperation,” said Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr., “and not just with other law enforcement agencies but also community service agencies.”

John C. Smriga, the State’s Attorney for the Fairfield Judicial District, praised the community gathering.

As a prosecutor, “I always come in after the problem has happened. After someone is shot. After someone is robbed,” he said. “Coming here today, this gives me some input at the front end.”