| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| State Rep. Angel Cruz |
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Cruz supports Philadelphia CeaseFire
HARRISBURG, Feb. 2 – State Rep. Angel Cruz, D-Phila., is advocating for a program sponsored by the Temple University School of Medicine that has the potential to decrease gun violence in the community.
Philadelphia CeaseFire began in the 22nd Police District six months ago and the district has already seen progress. The program, which is based at the medical school’s Center for Bioethics, Urban Health and Policy, aims to reduce the number of shootings and homicides in Philadelphia using community outreach, community mobilization, public education, faith-based involvement, and criminal justice participation.
“In just a short amount of time this program has directly engaged high-risk youth and made a difference in their lives and the safety of North Philadelphia,” Cruz said. “It is my recommendation that the Pa. Commission on Crime and Delinquency extend the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant to this worthy initiative working to end youth violence.”
CeaseFire is a nationwide violence intervention program that has been proven to decrease gun violence in urban areas. The program combines statistics, and knowledge and experience of community members to divert efforts to regions and individuals most at-risk for gun violence.
The Department of Justice issued a report indicating the effectiveness of the program in Chicago, the city of original implementation, and found a 73 percent reduction in killings and shootings in regions where CeaseFire was implemented.
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