Bed-Stuy Teen Launches Jazz Night To Help Combat Gun Violence

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — A Bed-Stuy block association is hoping to help curb a spike in gun violence near their street with a series of events for the community.

The 400 Bainbridge Street Block Association, known as 400 BBA, will host a "Jazz Night in White" on Thursday in its latest attempt to uplift the community as the neighborhood, and borough, deal with a surge in shootings.

"We initiated these projects after multiple shootings near the corner of our block within less than four weeks, the most recent leaving one of the young men on our block lying in the hospital, clinging to life," River Fields, president of the association, told Patch.

Fields, who is 18, said he connected with top cops at the 81st Precinct after the shootings to brainstorm ideas about how to combat the gun violence.

There have been at least three shootings near the block association's Bainbridge Street and Ralph Avenue corner, one of which sent a 31-year-old man to the hospital in critical condition. Overall, shootings in Bed-Stuy's 81st Precinct have more than doubled when compared to this time last year, according to police data.

The first event the police and association collaborated on was a block party and community outreach event last weekend.

The jazz night, which will include a violinist and jazz quartet, is slated to start at 5 p.m. Thursday.

"The goal of these events is to help combat gun violence through purposeful community projects that help uplift the physical and mental health of community members and foster a sense of togetherness within our neighborhood during these very challenging times," Fields said. "Also, we want to help expose youth in the community to positive alternatives to gun violence."

The Jazz Night in White will take place in the middle of the block on Bainbridge Street between Howard and Saratoga Avenues. Guests are asked to wear white and to bring food pot-luck style, according to a flyer.