New Bedford
The following provides a general overview of the 2009 New Bedford CSI effort (as described in their application for grant funds).PROBLEM:
Community-based risk factors including high unemployment, low income, low education attainment, substance abuse problems, and challenging school connection issues all contribute to gang involvement.
Much of juvenile violent crime can be traced to substance abuse issues, as Bristol County Sheriff's office reports 90% of incarcerated males' ages 17-19 self-report a history of substance abuse.
Identified a number of nationally-based and street-based gangs that have conflicts, protect turf, and deal drugs, which increased likelihood of violence.
Several gang unit officers have been forced back to patrol due to budget cuts.
Continue strong collaboration between partners with monthly meetings and regular mailings.
Continue strong collaboration with case management partners with monthly meetings.
Continue to create and build new relationships outside of the collaborative for sustainability purposes.
Reduce gang involvement of individuals post-incarceration by providing assistance both in jail and upon exit with referrals, i.e. GED preparation, job /workshop training, mentoring and family support services.
Assist individual who are returning to society with expert consultation regarding mental health/medication supports.
1. Focus on the following four components:
Gathering and analysis of timely and accurate intelligence
Development of effective tactics
Rapid deployment of resources
Relentless follow-up and assessment.
2. Fund OT to support the gang unit, additional patrols, clergy ride-alongs and home visits.
New Bedford service providers will:1. Focus on three priority areas:
Expansion of job training
Expansion of transportation resources
Expansion of juvenile diversion programming
2. Continue to offer creative, positive, and safe places and services to high-risk and gang-involved youth. Activities include mentoring, art, music, writing, yoga, and sailing.
3. Continue to provide targeted case management, education, and job training for individuals who have been in the criminal justice system.
4. Continue efforts of street outreach workers to increase presence on the streets, develop trusting relationships, and use positive methods of conflict resolution and non-violence.
Strong broad-based collaborative from all parts of the city that meets monthly (average of 65 at each meeting) and advises the mayor on future direction of gang prevention efforts.
New Bedford PD reports crime rates for murder, rape, robbery, assault, larceny, auto and arson all decreased since the inception of the Shannon CSI.
Bristol County DA�s Office was added to the collaborative and funded a full-time prosecutor, embedded within the New Bedford PD and dedicated to combating gun and gang violence through focused and enhanced prosecution.
Bristol County Sheriffs Office held four reentry panels to warn soon-to-be-released inmates that New Bedford PD will be tracking their movements and to offer services and referrals to positive programs that offer alternatives to continued gang involvement and gang violence.
Street outreach team consists of 6 part-time street workers and two full-time. They provide service to middle schools, high school and neighboring towns (approximately 6,000 touches have been made).
Improved citywide data collection efforts has assisted partners with obtaining better statistics and performance measures, assisted in strategic deployments of police, assisted street outreach workers in making solid referrals and improved effectiveness of follow-ups.