18 Degrees to Hold Meetings on Gun Violence in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following a summer of increased gun violence in Pittsfield, 18 Degrees will hold a couple of meetings focused on youth support, violence prevention, and safe communities.
Last week, the City Council accepted a communication from the organization, which has received $1.3 million from the state over the last several years through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Gun Violence Prevention Program.
Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren and Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi asked that 18 Degrees organize and host at least two community mobilization meetings, one in the Wests Side and one in the Morningside neighborhoods.
There have been four gun violence incidents in the city since mid-June in these areas; District Attorney Timothy Shugrue has enacted a task force to address the issue.
Meeting dates have not yet been provided. 18 Degrees said they would be scheduled during dates and times that ensure councilors, stakeholders, and community members can attend.
"My hope is that this can be a template in the future, so that when we do have instances of gun violence, we're working with our community partner to bring people together in real time," Lampiasi said.
"Because I know on the West Side, I'm hearing from folks, I know that out by [Berkshire Community College,] I'm hearing from folks, and I'm sure all of you are hearing from residents that are concerned, too."
She explained that people not only want to help but also want to know where they can volunteer, whether their volunteerism is wanted, and what services are available.
"Some residents know individuals that would benefit from them, so stay tuned for more details."
The petition explains that the organization has received a total of $1,391,170 in grants through the Gun Violence Prevention Program since fiscal 2019, including $394,780 in FY23 specifically designated for outreach and engagement with youth and young adults ages 17-24 who have been impacted by trauma and violence.
Warren added that he is hearing more and more concerns from residents related to the violence. One person was killed, and at least seven have been injured in the shootings this summer.
"Consistent with our mission to champion access, opportunity, well-being, and belonging for all people, 18 Degrees will coordinate these meetings as welcoming, solutions-oriented forums. The purpose will be to confirm how community members can access supports, how concerns can be elevated, and how residents can participate in efforts to promote safety and positive change," President and CEO Stephanie Steed wrote.
"The meetings will provide space for community members to share concerns and priorities, hear from Council members and partner organizations, learn about available resources, and identify practical next steps for communication, coordination, and accountability."
Also on the agenda, and referred to the subcommittee of Public Health and Safety, was a request from Warren to take actions in response to the gun violence incidents.
He pointed out that these four incidents — at Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue (June 18), Onota and Walnut Streets (Aug. 4), Linden Street and Francis Avenue (Aug. 16), and Circular Avenue (Aug. 18) — occurred within approximately one mile of one another, and were confirmed by ShotSpotter activation.
The Shannon Community Safety Initiative is scheduled to begin accepting applications for the next round of funding due Sept. 25, and Warren said the City Council has an oversight interest in that infrastructure and a responsibility to ensure that its capacity is being fully deployed.
He asked that Pittsfield seek to act promptly, publicly, and in coordination with community partners so that residents see a complete community response. His petition requests to:
- Produce an agreed short-term response plan covering, at minimum, the next 60, 90, and 120 days — with named leads, deliverables, and points of coordination with the DA's multi-agency task force.
- Identify any resources, referrals, or partners that need to be added to close gaps the current cluster has exposed — including trauma response and community mobilization capacity in the affected neighborhoods.
- Designate the City Council President as the single point of contact for communications with the City Council over the duration of this response.
- Report back to the City Council in writing, and in person when requested, on the plan produced by the proposed meeting and on its implementation.
Warren also asked that the Pittsfield Community Connection convene post-incident restorative justice circles in neighborhoods affected by the cluster of shootings and that about five percent, or $20,000, from the Shannon Grant be allocated for a supplementary study for public health responses to deadly violence in collaboration with Pittsfield's Health Department.
Tags: 18 degrees, gun violence,
