New Study Shows Shootings and Killings Can Be Stopped

[N'Zinga Shani]

Homicides were reduced by more than half in Baltimore’s Cherry Hill neighborhood. And in communities plagued by violence where Safe Streets wasn’t implemented, community members were seven times more likely to support using guns to resolve disputes compared to a Safe Streets neighborhood.
RWJF has supported CeaseFire and its replication since its start in Chicago in 2000, helping to test and refine intervention and prevention strategies. This is the first rigorous evaluation study of a replication site of the CeaseFire model. http://www.oneworldpi.org/education

• Read more about the Safe Streets Baltimore study.

In 2009 New Haven had 12 homicides (all victims were black)

In 2010 New Haven had 24 homicides (23 were black)

In 2011 New Haven had 34 homicides (33 were Black & Latino)

In 2012 we hope that the program implemented in Baltimore can serve as a model for changing the trajectory in New Haven.

As we celebrate another Black History Month (starting 2/1/2012) let us reflect on what has been achieved and what needs to be changed.   There is a great deal of potential in our community; we need to work hard at finding positive ways to tap into and redirect aspects of that potential that is not now being utilized in positive ways, and we need to vigorously support those who are striving to do well.  Nothing is impossible for willing hearts; we all benefit when we are civically engaged. 

Throughout the month of Feb. OneWorld Progressive Institute, Inc will present a series of television programs intended to inform, engage and challenge the broader community, but in particular the Black community. Peace