Ramon and Chad bring BCS to NYC Ceasefire

A couple weeks ago Chad and Ramon participated in the New York City Police Department’s Operation Ceasefire initiative. This annual event was launched in December 2014 in collaboration with the National Network for Safe Communities. NYC Ceasefire recognizes that most of the violent crime that takes place is committed by a small number of people deeply connected to gang or drug activity. It focuses on reducing violent crime by communicating directly with these individuals through text notifications and/or mass meetings. NYC Ceasefire aims to bring community leaders, members of the law enforcement community (i.e. prosecutors, probation officers, police) as well as social service providers to give a three-pronged message to those who are invited to attend:

•       Violence in the community must come to an end
•       Continued violence will face swift and intense response from law enforcement
•     Social service providers will be present to provide resources to those willing to change.

To hear more about Ramon and Chad’s experience in NYC Ceasefire as service providers, read below:

Ramon

Chad and I were asked if we would be interested in helping with the NYC Ceasefire Initiative. As someone who is formerly incarcerated, I believed it would be a good opportunity to connect with formerly incarcerated individuals as well as those who are deeply involved in gang activity. Ceasefire is collaboration with various government agencies (New York City Police, Department of Probation) as well as many community organizations who provide services to those who have been impacted by gun violence. Many returning citizens and current gang members were attended the event as participants. I must admit I felt very nervous at the event due to the heavy police presence there. But I also believe that if I felt that way then the individuals who attended perhaps felt the same way.

As soon as Chad and I arrived, we were assigned to a room with other local service providers and given supplies to conduct intake sessions. As participants begin to arrive, they will usually stop at a desk, (apparently with those they feel more comfortable with) and begin to have one on one case management sessions with a service provider.  I noticed that it helps when I wear my shirt with the Bronx Community Solutions logo.

Before joining us the service providers for case management, the participants go to another room in which community and religious member, city, state, federal agency speaks to them about the dangers of being involved in drug/gang activity and the intense consequences they face from law enforcement if they continue their involvement. We were then able to speak with the participants, encouraging them that many people in the community simply want to feel safe and reminded them that they are cared for. This year, Bronx Community Solutions was one of three service providers who attended the event. We were able to work with 8 participants from the event and referred one participant to a job training program.

Chad

The experience that I have had with NYC Ceasefire has been both uplifting as well as eye-opening. I was first invited to attend the Ceasefire event in 2018 and I have attended each meeting since then. 

I attended in the capacity of workforce development coordinator and helped a few of the young men who attended get connected to employment, vocational or educational services. The reception from the participants has been very positive. The eye-opening part of Ceasefire for me was just how young the participants were as well as the severe consequences they would face if they were to return to a life of crime. More importantly, it was heartwarming to see the support that the participants receive from community stakeholders such as the clergy and community residents. We were also able to connect participants with information for low income housing.  The participants who sat with me were very receptive to the services we had to offer. I am looking forward to attending future Ceasefire events.