PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Following a shooting that killed a 15-year-old boy in Portsmouth, an anti-crime advocate in that city says he's working alongside city leaders on a new project aimed at curbing gun violence.
There’s a new initiative on the table called “Portsmouth United.”
Darrell Redmond said it’s focused on bringing different stakeholders together to address the root causes of crime.
“It’s going to be every single facet that’s in the city of Portsmouth. It’s going to be community organizations, it’s going to be churches, it’s going to be government, it’s going to be local businesses," Redmond said. "It’s called Portsmouth United.”
Redmond founded the nonprofit “Give Back 2 Da Block.” It’s an anti-gun violence program focused on engaging youth. He’s now one of several advocates participating in this new Portsmouth United program.
“It’s an evidence-based practice utilized in other states," Redmond said. "Portsmouth is making it unique with Portsmouth United. It’s taking those same evidence-based practices that have been used around the nation to curb gun violence.”
Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover said the city’s police chief is putting together the framework for the program and how it will operate in the city.
“Right now, it’s in its formative stages," Glover said.
He said Portsmouth United will bring different voices together to dissect what’s happening in the community.
“All stakeholders to the table — that means clergy, our educators, our civic organizations, our city organizations like behavioral health and others — to really look at what’s happening in the community," Glover said. "Where are the areas that we really need to focus on? Is it getting engaged with our families more? Providing resources and solutions?”
Through this collaborative effort, the mayor said everyone can work together to come up with solutions.
“Getting feedback and information and input that will be actionable so that we can set goals and measure those goals so we know if these programs are actually working and making the desired impact that we seek," Glover explained.
“Working with our young people and behavioral health and other entities to really understand what’s happening in our community," he added.
Redmond said getting everyone to work together on fighting crime is crucial if cities want to stop the problem.
“A lot of times people work on an individual basis, but if we put it together collaboratively then we can make a greater effort to curb a lot of this gun violence epidemic that’s plaguing our communities," Redmond said.
“It will be targeting hotspots... In place that people are prone to violence, [it will] put people on the ground: violence interrupters, community figures, churches, and mental health professionals. All in one spot to be able to create a safer environment for people living in the community.”
The mayor said Portsmouth United had its initial meeting "weeks ago" and residents will hear more about the program in the future. He said public safety is a priority.