Reducing Violence News Archive

Center researchers explain how their experience and credibility influenced how they approached interviewing New York City youth for our study on gun violence, "Gotta Make Your Own Heaven." They share the importance of centering community voices through this anecdotal narrative of their experience.

In Slate, John Pfaff compares gun violence reduction strategies in both Philadelphia and New York City, citing our August 2020 report that looks at reducing this type of violence by addressing the root causes, often systemic, that negatively impact already marginalized communities. 

Discussing the city's Blueprint to End Gun Violence, Elise White, the deputy director of research at the Center, shares findings from our latest study on gun violence, which interviewed young people who use guns, and advocates for larger systems of support and resources to advance public safety and wellbeing. 

Marisol Rivera is a violence interrupter with our Save Our Streets. This anti-violence program works to stop violence and prevent shootings before they escalate. "You can't tell a young person to put a gun down and don't replace it with a job, with a trade, or something they are interested in," Rivera tells abc7 New York of our approach.

Save Our Streets received recognition from Bill de Blasio and his son for our efforts to keep the peace without requiring police intervention. “Too often you have been unsung heroes, today we are singing your praises,” said Mayor de Blasio as he presented the proclamation documents. “You are doing sacred work, and it is making a huge difference.”

Bronx News12 profiles the winter wonderland extravaganza that Save Our Streets recently held at its offices in Morrisania. Bronx Community Justice Center project director, Carmen J. Hernandez, is interviewed and explains the impact and history of the program as well as the plans to expand services throughout the borough. 

Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed gun violence numbers across the city and says while many areas are improving, the Bronx still faces challenges in the community. Bronx News12 profiled Save Our Streets and interviewed Marisol Rivera about how the team is working tirelessly to help stop gun violence in the borough.

In this official announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul's office, the Center for Court Innovation, RISE Project (Brooklyn), Save Our Streets (The Bronx), Neighborhood Safety Initiatives (Harlem), and others were named as recipients of a grant designed to fund new outreach workers, violence interrupters, and social workers across New York in communities experiencing increases in gun-related violence over the last year.

Ghost guns have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in jurisdictions where gun control regulations make it difficult for ordinary residents to obtain guns legally. Giving insight into why some New Yorkers feel the need to own a gun, the article links to and summarizes our report 'Gotta Make Your Own Heaven': Guns, Safety, and the Edge of Adulthood in New York City, where more than 300 young people from New York City neighborhoods suffering from high gun violence were surveyed. The result? More than 80% said that they’d personally been shot at and reported having carried a gun at some point in time, and many felt they lacked any other protection.