Safe Summer NYC: Mayor de Blasio Announces Expansion of Violence Interruptors Into 105th Precinct

May 5, 2021

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice today announced the expansion of the City’s violence interrupter network into the 105th Precinct in eastern Queens, building on the City’s Safe Summer NYC Plan. The expansion aims to address public safety concerns in the Laurelton, Rosedale, and Springfield Gardens neighborhoods of Queens, utilizing credible messengers to mediate conflict on the street and connect high-risk individuals to services that can reduce the long-term risk of violence.

"Safe Summer NYC is about making sure every New Yorker is safe and feels safe in their neighborhood,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Expanding the Crisis Management System will do exactly that, bringing people together at the grassroots to fight gun violence and bring our city back.”

Two new groups will join the Crisis Management System (CMS) network of violence interrupters to work in the precinct, King of Kings and 100 Suits for 100 Men. The $1.1 million investment will focus on, aiming to be fully staffed and in place by the end of June 2021.

The expansion of CMS into the 105th Precinct is the most recent example of the City’s ongoing commitment to addressing public safety concerns through both community and law enforcement solutions. Mayor de Blasio recently signed City Council legislation to triple the overall size of the CMS workforce by Summer 2022. The recent commitments build upon the expansion of CMS last summer, which included several locations in Queens.

The introduction of violence interrupters in eastern Queens comes amid an ongoing spike in gun violence in the City. Shooting incidents citywide are up more than 50 percent compared to the same time last year, with the 105th Precinct seeing double the number of incidents year-to-date, from two in 2020 to four in 2021.

Since 2010, the Crisis Management System has worked in neighborhoods across the City that have historically faced high levels of gun violence. Backed by a nearly $40 million investment from the Administration and the City Council, CMS is operated in partnership with a network of non-profit providers, now in 22 precincts.

“The Crisis Management System has long proven to not only reduce incidents of violence in the neighborhoods our partners work within, but as an effective way of ensuring much-needed social services reach those in need while empowering communities in defining safety on their own terms,” said Executive Director Jessica Mofield of the Office to Prevent Gun Violence. “We grateful for our community partners and look forward to contributing to the health and vibrancy of Eastern Queens.”

“Expanding the Crisis Management System into my district is a necessary investment as we seek ways to combat the surge in gun violence with an increase in access and reach to much needed social services," said Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. "I am particularly excited to be working with the King of Kings Foundation and 100 Suits for 100 Men, who have the necessary experience and expertise needed to be able to take on this work, as well as the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, to create safety across the different neighborhoods in my district."

“The 105th Precinct has one of the largest geographic areas to cover, with nearly 13 square miles and 354 miles of roadway. It is extremely difficult to maintain the peace in our communities, and many are overwhelmed. Cure Violence expansion in the 105th Precinct is a welcome resource Eastern Queens needs, and we need to do everything we can to stop gun violence and invest in our neighborhoods while keeping them safe,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr.

“Effective strategies for protecting our communities must be multi-faceted and we fully support expansion of the City’s violence interrupter network – which has proven to be effective in reducing crime and violence. I have said it many times, we cannot prosecute our way out of this problem. The safest borough is one where we work with our young people to make sure they never become part of the criminal justice system. The Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice has taken an important step to stop the gun violence and end the cycle of grief in our neighborhoods,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

"We live here, and we are committed to doing better, by helping to build a stronger, safer, closer community," said Lance Feurtado, Founder and Executive Director of The King of Kings Foundation.

"On behalf of 100SUITS we look forwards to creating a safe space for youth in the community surround buy love and continued support," said Kevin Livingston, Founder and President of 100 Suits for 100 Men.