For the Media

‘Everybody Is Armed’: As Shootings Soar, Philadelphia Is Awash in Guns

The NY Times

With gun violence on the rise, researchers are turning to those most impacted for solutions. The Center is currently conducting a multi-city gun study that speaks directly with young people's attitudes towards guns, including their reasons for carrying. Speaking to these sentiments in Philadelphia, Center part-time researcher involved in the study, Jonathan Wilson, says. "Everybody is armed. Nobody’s without a gun in these ZIP codes, because they’ve always been dangerous."

New Translated Materials to Help Young Survivors of Human Trafficking

Office for Victims of Crime

These materials were created by the Center for Court Innovation with funding from Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) and are newly translated into African French; Brazilian Portuguese; Chinese (simplified); Spanish; and Vietnamese. These Child Victims and Witnesses Support Materials are for use with young survivors of human trafficking, including excerpts of support from individuals with lived experience and information for a reader who might find themselves in a similar situation.

Getting More Women off Rikers Island

New York Daily News

The vast majority of women at Rikers are awaiting trial, and this op-ed by former Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman and Sharon White-Harrigan lays out the path to reduce the population of women and gender-expansive people currently detained on Rikers Island, referencing our co-authored report, Path to Under 100.

Are violence interrupters more effective than police?

"Beyond Black History Month" podcast

Prevention: one solution to gun violence that is able to save lives. Shootings disproportionately affect Black communities, and some community members are taking matters into their own hands. “Beyond Black History” podcast host Femi Redwood takes a look at SOS BedStuy’s work to use the power of credible messengers and positive change agents to mediate conflict and prevent violence.

Nearly 70% of detainees at Rikers women’s jail can be safely released: advocates

City & State New York

A coalition of criminal justice advocates and experts, including the Center, are calling on New York City officials to study ways to safely release 70% of the women and gender-expansive people being held in Rose M. Singer Center (“Rosie’s”) on Rikers Island. The plea comes a little over a month after the death of Mary Yehudah on Rosie’s. Recommendations include the city form a “population review team” to examine who would be good candidates for release.

Community-Based Violence Interruption Programs can Reduce Gun Violence

American Progress

Violence interruption is a community-based strategy to reduce gun violence and improve public safety in neighborhoods. Our anti-violence program Save Our Streets is profiled and named as a highly successful example of curbing gun violence in the South Bronx, reducing gun victimization by 63 percent in its initial years of implementation.

Is NYC’s Crime Reduction Strategy Ignoring Lessons of the Past?

The Trace

In a series on gun violence in New York by The Trace and The Guardian, the first article explores New York City's surge in gun crime and how it largely coincides with the pandemic. The article explores new and existing approaches to prioritize public safety, like NeighborhoodStat, that gives public housing residents tools and resources to set priorities around quality-of-life issues has shown to reduce violence across the city. Hailey Nolasco, our director of community-based violence prevention, says "let’s continue to bolster community-led efforts and not cause more harm to our communities." Also published by The Guardian, The Bad Old Days: How Policing In New York City Turned Back The Clock

Could Less Policing Actually Reduce Gun Violence in NYC?

The Trace

In a series on gun violence in New York by The Trace and The Guardian, the second of three articles looks at how law enforcement’s ability to solve a crime, especially a shooting, can build or erode trust between law enforcement and the community affected. The article references multiple studies, including the Center's own report, Gotta Make Your Own Heaven, which documented that young people who carry firearms in communities with higher rates of violence often fear the police, which contributes to their decision to carry. Also published by The Guardian: The ‘Clearances Paradox’: Could Less Policing Actually Reduce Gun Violence In New York?

Brooklyn’s Alternative Approach to Gun Violence Shows Promise

The Trace

In a series on gun violence in New York by The Trace and The Guardian, the final article details the complex reasons that shootings have declined in Brooklyn, crediting Brooklyn’s more-developed infrastructure of Crisis Management System groups and its network of community-based organizations, like the Brownsville Community Justice Center. Hailey Nolasco, our director of community-based violence prevention; Mallory Thatch, program manager; and Deron Johnston, the deputy director for community development, share their perspectives on on the changes—both positive and negative—Brownville has seen regarding gun possession and violence. Also published by The Guardian: The Borough That Figured It Out: How Brooklyn Reduced Gun Violence

Calabrese’s Court goes Back Live

The Red Hook Star-Review

"I’d just like people to know that we’re here to continue to help people and try to make a difference for the community,” says Edna McGoldrick of the Red Hook Community Justice Center and the services offered. After operating virtually during the pandemic, our Red Hook Community Justice Center and housing court are re-opened, allowing our staff to assist residents access the repairs, renewals, and services they need, and as always, treat every person that comes through the doors with dignity and respect.

Philly Residents Affected by Gun Violence will be Researching the Root Causes of the Crisis

WHYY, PBS

Philadelphia is one of five major cities receiving national funding to study the factors driving youth gun violence. The research model involves hiring people with lived experience to ask questions in their own neighborhoods. Our Elise White and Basaime Spate, who are leading the study, share how having credible people ask the questions will improve turnout and the quality of responses. "The folks who live the experience also end up controlling the data at the end, so they control the narrative. And that’s an extremely important thing when you look at the way that gun violence gets talked about,” says Dr. White, research director.

A New Group to Help Times Square Emerge from COVID-19 Pandemic

City & State

President of the Times Square Alliance, Tom Harris, talks about the area’s recovery and shares more about the partnership with our Midtown Town Community Court, Breaking Ground, and Fountain House to create the Community First program, which connects the unhoused populations of Times Square to local resources, including housing and mental health services.

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‘Everybody Is Armed’: As Shootings Soar, Philadelphia Is Awash in Guns

New Translated Materials to Help Young Survivors of Human Trafficking

Getting More Women off Rikers Island

Are violence interrupters more effective than police?

Nearly 70% of detainees at Rikers women’s jail can be safely released: advocates

Community-Based Violence Interruption Programs can Reduce Gun Violence

Is NYC’s Crime Reduction Strategy Ignoring Lessons of the Past?

Could Less Policing Actually Reduce Gun Violence in NYC?

Brooklyn’s Alternative Approach to Gun Violence Shows Promise

Calabrese’s Court goes Back Live

Philly Residents Affected by Gun Violence will be Researching the Root Causes of the Crisis

A New Group to Help Times Square Emerge from COVID-19 Pandemic