Springfield takes bold new measure to combat youth gun violence

[M-Quigley]

https://www.whio.com/news/local/local-c ... QJLDMSUVM/

The city of Springfield has finally had enough of yutes 14-24 committing gun crimes in their city and has taken the bold step of creating a new government position, called the "Violence prevention coordinator." IDK how much this new position pays but if anyone would like the job I guess contact the city of Springfield Ohio.

The Violence Prevention Coordinator would coordinate efforts with community partners and programs to prevent and reduce gun violence among people 14-24 years old, according to the city.

The position was created after community leaders came together to find a solution to the “rapid escalation of violent crimes” among juveniles and young adults.

A grant has been requested from the Department of Justice to help fund the project.

The city said in addition to potential DOJ funding, community leaders have pledged to jointly provide the financial resources needed to support the position.

“To truly reduce violence, we need a focused collaborative effort by multiple agencies,” said Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck. “No organization, government or community group can move the needle in a positive direction in this rising epidemic alone.”

[WhyNot]

I ALWAYS THOUGHT....

That positions was called, ''Chief of Police.''

PAST PRACTICES as an example, I ALWAYS thought the ''city manager'' was...the...wait for it.....Mayor perhaps?

Oh wait, yes. ALL problem start and end with, there is not enough govt. MUST creates more positions with commensurate staffs, studies, and the necessary MORE FUNDING in the future, when and if it doesn't work.

[Brian D.]

In other big cities they've created similar positions. In some places, they seek out and hire former gang members, who have a felonious, violent history. Peer counseling, I guess they consider it to be.

[marca]

Maybe they could pay a “per scalp” bounty on any utes shot during the commission of a crime …

[M-Quigley]

UPDATE: Violent crime is up in Springfield

https://www.whio.com/news/local/4-separ ... PFD4I62OE/

I did a search to see if they had actually hired someone to be the violence reduction coordinator, but couldn't find an answer, no link specifically saying the position was filled or who it was filled by.

According to this link Springfield crime rates are 96.2% higher than other US cities. For a comparison example Columbus is allegedly 92.9 higher, but then these stats are compared to all cities, not medium to large cities.

https://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-S ... -Ohio.html

What the stat's don't show and I can't find is whether or not Springfield has Judges who let suspects of violent crime out on little to no bail, particularly to youth suspects, or give light sentences. The question should be the same for any city in Ohio experiencing an increase in crime, who are the prosecutors and who are the judges, what are they doing? Of course in the case of Columbus, it's much easier for the mayor and city clowncil to just pass anti gun and anti magazine laws.

[evan price]

What the stat's don't show and I can't find is whether or not Springfield has Judges who let suspects of violent crime out on little to no bail, particularly to youth suspects, or give light sentences. The question should be the same for any city in Ohio experiencing an increase in crime, who are the prosecutors and who are the judges, what are they doing? Of course in the case of Columbus, it's much easier for the mayor and city clowncil to just pass anti gun and anti magazine laws.

Columbus juvenile system is so soft on crime that it is honestly not worth even arresting juveniles. The judges and the case workers just put them right out again.

[M-Quigley]

What the stat's don't show and I can't find is whether or not Springfield has Judges who let suspects of violent crime out on little to no bail, particularly to youth suspects, or give light sentences. The question should be the same for any city in Ohio experiencing an increase in crime, who are the prosecutors and who are the judges, what are they doing? Of course in the case of Columbus, it's much easier for the mayor and city clowncil to just pass anti gun and anti magazine laws.

Columbus juvenile system is so soft on crime that it is honestly not worth even arresting juveniles. The judges and the case workers just put them right out again.

That's what I've heard, on LEPD radio show and also someone I know who works in Columbus. Allegedly even the ATF won't hold them, even if they're caught with a Glock with a glock switch.

Just this morning, an update on the "violence reduction coordinator" position, it has just recently been filled.

Someone I'm acquainted with told me he had someone in mind that he was going to submit his name for the position, but it's too late now, unless this new hire doesn't work out for them. He said the guy was Paul Kersey, and while his current job is an architect, he could do this other position at night. I'm not sure how being an architect qualifies him to be a violent crime coordinator though.

He said various community partners have received grant money to help combat gun violence.

“...a $1.3 million grant from the Department of Justice to fund a community violence intervention coordinator position,” Via said.

Even though Via couldn’t share who was selected for the position, he said someone was recently hired and they hope to have them start “within the next two weeks.”

“So that person will be, tasked to communicate, both with the community and to communicate with another partner, Case Western University, to help us find programming that is both evidence-based and best practices to bring here to address this issue,” Via said.

In August, News Center 7′s John Bedell reported that the state is partnering with Springfield on a violent crime reduction initiative.

Over the summer, Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers provided extra resources like technology, intel, and staffing for a targeted operation.

The City of Springfield asked for this help.

On Friday, an OSHP spokesperson said, “We currently do not have any pending requests for assistance. However, we are always willing to assist our local law enforcement partners upon request.”

https://www.whio.com/news/local/scared- ... ISOGLKRJY/

[SDVC]

It's already March 26, 2024 and no name released for the community violence intervention coordinator position OR HAS IT?, what is interesting is that Mike Calabrese, the Executive Director of Opportunities for Individual Change of Clark County, or the OIC, stated that the new Violence Prevention Coordinator will work with the community to create and enhance community programs or services to reduce gun violence.

As part of an effort to curb gun violence among youths in Springfield, OIC, or Opportunities for Individual Change of Clark County, has received $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Justice. Mike Calabrese, executive director of OIC, said the grant further funds its violence prevention coordinator position it announced last month, as well as administration fees and research by Case Western Reserve University. The money will fund the initiative for a three-year period, Calabrese said. Community organizations have also agreed to help fund the coordinator position. The violence prevention coordinator at OIC will develop, implement, coordinate and enhance community programs and services that aim to reduce gun violence in Springfield.

-Most of this from: (By Jessica Orozco, Oct 4, 2023, Springfield News-Sun) https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/new ... MF3QXA2YA/

Prior to that October 4 release on (Sept 15) In response to a “rapid escalation” in violent crimes among Springfield youths, OIC has established a job position to prevent violence. According to a release from the city, the position comes from coordinated community partner efforts and programs to reduce violence, https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/new ... UE4IZXADM/

Another issue of concern for my group Springfield Domestic Violence Coalition (SDVC) is the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on:
Domestic violence gun restrictions
Case: United States v. Rahimi
Status: Oral arguments heard, opinion pending
Question: Does the federal law that prohibits the possession of firearms by people subject to domestic violence restraining orders violate the Second Amendment?

Personally, SDVC would like to be apart of a Springfield Community plan on violence prevention
https://www.springfielddvc.com/

[M-Quigley]

It's already March 26, 2024 and no name released for the community violence intervention coordinator position OR HAS IT?, what is interesting is that Mike Calabrese, the Executive Director of Opportunities for Individual Change of Clark County, or the OIC, stated that the new Violence Prevention Coordinator will work with the community to create and enhance community programs or services to reduce gun violence.

As part of an effort to curb gun violence among youths in Springfield, OIC, or Opportunities for Individual Change of Clark County, has received $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Justice. Mike Calabrese, executive director of OIC, said the grant further funds its violence prevention coordinator position it announced last month, as well as administration fees and research by Case Western Reserve University. The money will fund the initiative for a three-year period, Calabrese said. Community organizations have also agreed to help fund the coordinator position. The violence prevention coordinator at OIC will develop, implement, coordinate and enhance community programs and services that aim to reduce gun violence in Springfield.

-Most of this from: (By Jessica Orozco, Oct 4, 2023, Springfield News-Sun) https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/new ... MF3QXA2YA/

Prior to that October 4 release on (Sept 15) In response to a “rapid escalation” in violent crimes among Springfield youths, OIC has established a job position to prevent violence. According to a release from the city, the position comes from coordinated community partner efforts and programs to reduce violence, https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/new ... UE4IZXADM/

Another issue of concern for my group Springfield Domestic Violence Coalition (SDVC) is the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on:
Domestic violence gun restrictions
Case: United States v. Rahimi
Status: Oral arguments heard, opinion pending
Question: Does the federal law that prohibits the possession of firearms by people subject to domestic violence restraining orders violate the Second Amendment?

Personally, SDVC would like to be apart of a Springfield Community plan on violence prevention
https://www.springfielddvc.com/

I don't live near Springfield, but my local news covers that county, + I know someone who works there, and it appears that most of the violent crime in Springfield is not domestic violence. Just a guess of mine, but any violence prevention measures the coordinator might come up with probably should take into account that domestic violence is different than 2 gangs fighting it out over turf wars or robbery, particularly when some of the armed suspects are under 18.