Cops: God help us: Appeal to Hub clergy in fight vs. youth violence
By Jessica Heslam
Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Shots rang out in broad daylight on a Jamaica Plain street just hours after the city's top cop met with religious leaders to map out new tactics enlisting the clergy to help prevent a summer of bloodshed.

No one was injured in the 3:15 p.m. shooting behind the Bromley-Heath housing projects, where witnesses told police a gunman opened fire on a silver car before fleeing. Police found shell casings at 154 Heath St., but not the gunman or his target.

The gunplay unfolded not far from the courtyard where Napoleon ``June Bug'' Maiben, 41, was gunned down May 10. Over the next five days, gunfire would claim three more lives in Boston.

 ``There needs to be prevention and intervention initiated by faith communities. I do not mean press conferences on the heels of funerals, but substantial, sustained outreach,'' said the Rev. Eugene F. Rivers, one of nearly 30 religious and community leaders who met with Police Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole yesterday morning.

Spurred by last week's murders, O'Toole unveiled a plan at the Ella J. Baker House in Dorchester that includes redoubling efforts with the BPD's faith-based partners. She also met yesterday with her own staff to discuss strategy.

 ``We have many partners in the faith community and we intend to meet with all who want to be involved. The meeting today was an extraordinary meeting that will continue the rest of the week,'' O'Toole said through a department spokeswoman.

The department plans to announce recommendations by the end of the week.

Four people were shot dead last week, including 16-year-old Harlan Harris. No arrests have been made. The teen's slaying brought this year's murder toll to a staggering 22 victims.

According to Rivers, plans include:

  • Establishing a 24-hour hotline at the Baker House for young people who are victims, threatened by or involved in violent crime, and want to get out.   
  • Providing faith-based outreach workers with beepers so they can be on-call for kids at risk or families who need support.
  • Deploying ministers with police to conduct home visits of ``high-impact'' players involved in violent activities.
  • Calling on churches to put clergy workers on the street this summer to target the city's hot spots.

     

    ``My concern is the communities have to step up and intensify outreach to the most high-risk kids to complement what the police are doing,'' Rivers said.

    Rivers called on businesses and the city to step up and offer summer jobs to youngsters to combat crime, saying ``bad stuff happens when kids have nothing to do.''

    ( Jennifer Rosinski contributed to this report. jheslam@bostonherald.com. )

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