To combat the surge in gun violence, Akron's Mayor Shammas Malik, in tandem with Minority Behavioral Health Group (MBHG), has rolled out the details of the anticipated Akron Street Team Pilot Program. This initiative, highlighted by Mayor Malik, aims to deploy credible messengers invested in the local communities to stem the tide of violence before it can claim more lives. The program hopes to see these messengers intervene and de-escalate conflicts among those who risk engaging in violent acts. According to a statement from the City of Akron, this approach follows a public health model that has garnered significant results in other cities.
The recent losses Akron has suffered due to gun violence underscore the urgent necessity for proactive measures. "This past weekend, our city yet again felt the impacts of senseless gun violence as we lost three residents in separate shooting incidents," Mayor Malik stated in a City of Akron press release. While the Akron Police Department continues its rigorous work to resolve these crimes, preempting future violence is equally essential. Focusing on conflict interruption and community engagement, the Street Team initiative is poised to tread the paths of successful nationwide methods in reducing gun-related conflicts.
The program's core is a blend of methodologies, including street outreach via credible messengers and violence interruption. Services are not limited to crisis intervention but include case management and community navigation. This multifaceted approach directly addresses potential hot spots for violence and fosters stronger connections between Akron residents and support systems. The Rehoboth Project, as Mayor Malik elucidated, is pivotal in supplying the training and evaluation frameworks essential for enabling this strategic deployment of human resources.
Emphasizing the project's underpinnings, Minority Behavioral Health Group CEO Pastor Jeffrey Dennis expressed optimism about the power of collaboration. "This collaboration is a powerful opportunity to bring together expertise and resources, focusing on prevention, intervention, and impactful solutions." Further elaborating on the project's philosophy, Public Safety Strategist Tony Ingram added, "Credible messengers bring significant lived experience to leverage their roles as peacemakers," as per the City of Akron press release, detailing how these messengers are pivotal in engaging with individuals most at risk.
The Street Team is entering an 18-month trial period, funded through a $185,000 legislative allocation approved by Akron City Council. Throughout this pilot phase, the effectiveness and viability of longer-term implementation will be diligently assessed. Akron stands at the cusp of a potential paradigm shift in reducing urban violence, and all eyes have turned to the outcomes of this innovative and compassionate strategy.
