Officials Announce Urban Violence Plan

"Focused Deterrence" will target people responsible for the vast majority of gun crimes occurring in Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven.

State, federal and local officials are unveiling a plan used in several major cities, including Boston and Providence, to help stem the gun violence occurring in Connecticut's three largest cities.

Gov. Dannel Malloy said on Thursday that the program, dubbed "Focused Deterrence" will target the "fairly small number of people" responsible for the vast majority of gun crimes occurring in Hartford, Bridgeport and New Haven.

While Connecticut's overall crime rate is at its lowest rate since 1968, Malloy said gun violence in the state's major cities is unacceptably high.

Last year, 94 out of 129 homicides statewide occurred in those three cities. Malloy said most involved guns and young black men.

Hartford experienced a particularly violent weekend this month when 10 people were shot. Two of them died.

“The approach taken today by the governor is important,” State Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield, State Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield, said in a statement on Thursday. “It recognizes the seriousness of this issue in our communities, the need for a comprehensive approach and the collaboration of everyone involved.”

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch  was in Washington, DC on Thursday, but released a statement supporting the plan.

“One death is one too many; an innocent child caught in the crossfire is unacceptable. We have been working hard in Bridgeport reaching out to the community to keep the lines of communication open to my office and the police department. I support the Governor’s initiative and we will continue to collaborate with state and federal law enforcement officials to stem the tide of illegal guns used in these violent acts,” Mayor Finch said.


 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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