Harlem Precinct To Host New Gun-Violence Prevention Program

HARLEM, NY — A new gun-violence prevention program will be tested out in five police precincts across New York City, including one in Harlem, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday.

The Advance Peace Program pairs young people who are at risk of gun violence with mentors who help them set goals for their future. If they achieve their goals, they get a monetary stipend, according to City Hall.

Starting in July, the pilot will launch in the NYPD's 26th Precinct, which covers part of West Harlem and Morningside Heights, as well as precincts in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.

"The last year demonstrated in stark and tragic terms the intersection of public health and public safety," Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said in a Monday news conference, referring to the 97 percent uptick in shootings during the pandemic.

The Advance Peace program has been tried out in other cities, including Sacramento and Richmond, Calif., where firearm assaults declined by more than 66 percent during its rollout, according to the organization's website.

When the pilot begins, the city will conduct outreach in the precincts to identify youth who are at risk, then invite them to join the program's Peacemaker fellowship. Once paired with a mentor, they will set tangible goals, like getting a driver's license or a GED, the city said.

"It is with great optimism and enthusiasm that we embrace this most recent addition to our arsenal of community focused public safety tools," said anti-gun advocates Iesha Sekou, K. Bain and AT Mitchell in a joint statement.

So far in 2021, there has been one shooting in the 26th Precinct, according to NYPD crime statistics — fewer than in the neighboring 32nd and 28th precincts, which have seen three and two, respectively.