The Syracuse Common Council Monday approved a new program aimed at reducing the city’s gun violence by working with gang members to stay out of trouble.
The vote was 8-1. Councilor Pat Hogan, who previously expressed skepticism, cast the sole vote against spending $1 million to fund the program, Syracuse Safer Streets.
Safer Streets will at first serve 50 people, between the ages of 18 and 24. They will receive mentoring, job training, conflict resolution between rival gang members and therapy.
The program is built around making better connections with young men in the community who have a history of violence, mediating problems before they escalate and helping those men deal with the problems underlying their behavior.
It uses credible messengers — people who are known on the streets — to create trust and get participants to buy in to therapy and mediation.
The proposal was first criticized by some residents and some common councilors when it was announced because it was going to give gang members $100 a week for staying out of trouble while they participate in the program.
City officials revised the program so that only gang members get paid once they are involved in some kind of workforce development program.
Hogan remained opposed.
“We’re basically spending money and giving money to people that haven’t been doing the right thing,” said Hogan. “And what kind of a message is this sending to all the 18-and-19-year-old kids that do the right thing every day.”
Hogan said he does not think that the program will result in safer streets and believes the money should be spent on the “under-resourced” Syracuse Police Department to increase police presence in high-risk streets and pay officers for overtime.
The council also approved several local organizations to provide mentoring, conflict mediation, and therapy for the participants. They are the Good Life Philanthropic Youth Foundation, OG’s Against Gun Violence, the Salvation Army, the Northside Learning Center and Project H.E.A.L.
Watchdog/Public Affairs reporter Melissa Newcomb covers education, including Syracuse University and the city schools. For tips, contact her anytime at mnewcomb@syracuse.com, 315-679-1068, or @melissarnewcomb on Twitter.