Imported from Illinois, CeaseFire program aims to cut violent crime in Halifax
Posted Apr 11, 2014 05:21:41 PM.
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Halifax is getting a little more than $2 million to start up the ‘CeaseFire’ program, an initiative created by the University of Illinois School of Public Health, which treats gun violence as a learned behaviour that can be modified through intervention.
While the program has been implemented all over the world, it’s the first time it’s being tried in Canada.
Brent Decker with the university says cities that have the program see violent crime decrease 30 to 40 per cent in the first year.
He says it’s a public health model that works with people who are at high risk and shifting community norms around the accepability of using violence.
“We always work through community agencies and hire individuals who are from the community, have the credibility to work with those that are at highest risk,” said Decker.
“I think this is something that can hopefully reduce it and just bring a new atmosphere, you know,” said Stephen Nelson, one of those people who is looking forward to seeing a change in young people’s attitude. “When a barbeque’s a barbeque, and people are having fun and not worried about any gunshots is where we’re trying to take it to.”
The project is expected to help 120 at-risk male youth between the ages of 16 and 25.
