Good Shepherd Services’ Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence (B.R.A.G.) program will host the “B.R.A.G. Northwest Peace BBQ,” on Saturday, July 16 from noon to 5 p.m. As reported, the group will bring together elected officials and community members for an afternoon of free food, games, and music to celebrate unity and non-violence within the local community.

 

As rates of gun violence continue to rise both locally and nationwide, the event will mark the second BBQ this summer of B.R.A.G.’s annual series of Peace BBQs, which provide safe spaces where youth, families, and violence interrupters can gather safely, without fear of gun violence. B.R.A.G. has been hosting Peace BBQs since 2015, with the goal of fostering safe streets and encouraging new community norms where gun violence is not accepted. An additional event is scheduled for this summer on August 20.

 

As reported, Good Shepherd Services’ B.R.A.G. program uses the Cure Violence™ model which deploys violence interrupters who prevent at-risk youth from engaging in retaliatory violence within the community, intervene in potentially deadly situations, and engage community stakeholders to de-normalize gun violence. B.R.A.G. has been active in the Northwest Bronx for some time now and operates within the boundaries of the 46th, 47th and 52nd Police Precincts, comprising the neighborhoods of Fordham, University Heights, Kingsbridge, Mount Hope, Williamsbridge, Wakefield, and Edenwald in the Bronx. Norwood News has been regularly covering the group’s ongoing work over the years.

 

To date this year, in the 46th Precinct, the number of year-to-date shooting victims is up (24) by 9.1 percent versus the same time last year (22) while the number of year-to-date shootings is also up (22) by 4.8 percent versus the same time last year (21).

 

In the 47th precinct, the number of year-to-date shooting victims is down (28) by 6.7 percent versus the same time last year (30) while the number of year-to-date shootings remains the same as last year at 26.

 

In the 52nd precinct, the number of year-to-date shooting victims is also down (22) by 8.3 percent versus the same time last year (24) while the number of year-to-date shootings is up (19) by 5.6 percent versus the same time last year (18).

 

According to Good Shepherd Services (GSS), the organization goes where children, youth, and families face the greatest challenges and provide resources that build on their inherent strengths to help them thrive. GSS operates over 80 programs – which help nearly 30,000 youth and family members in struggling neighborhoods throughout New York City – and all programs are united by a common goal: to create opportunities that help our participants succeed at school, at home, and in their community.