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Ceasefire outreach group to partner with Highland Park on gang intervention; plans youth engagement before summer
Summary
Police and Ceasefire/C Smart representatives described a partnership to intervene with youth involved in gang activity near Gabriel Apartments, offering alternatives such as job training, license assistance and summer programs; a May 24 community event and middle-school outreach were announced.
Highland Park police and a community outreach group described a coordinated effort to reduce gun and gang violence around Gabriel Apartments and other local sites, combining police work with community-based mediation, mentoring and resource services.
Police Chief told the meeting the city has observed suspected gang activity and shootings near Gabriel Apartments and said the department is working with outside agencies to identify violent actors while also seeking alternatives for youths who may be salvageable. “The ones we can salvage, that's what they're here to talk about,” the chief said, describing a strategy to intervene with young people before violence escalates.
George Ward, outreach coordinator for C Smart Detroit (described in the meeting as a ceasefire-style group), said his organization focuses on mediation, mentoring and practical supports such as job training, driver's-license assistance and legal liaison services for returning citizens. “If we tap into a family, the family is ours,” Ward said, adding the group provides summer programming, employment referrals and a hotline for immediate outreach.
Ward told attendees the organization has been operating about nine years and highlighted a claimed 57% reduction in gun incidents in one targeted area year-over-year; he presented that as internal program data and framed it as evidence of boots-on-the-ground impact. The group plans to do middle-school outreach “before spring fever really gets going” and said it will be active around Manchester and the middle school near Gabriel Apartments.
The chief said the department partners with ceasefire-style groups because some young people will not speak with police but will engage with mentors from community organizations. The outreach group and police stressed a two-track approach: investigate and arrest those who commit serious violence, and engage others with alternatives and resources to prevent future offenses.
Several community leaders and coaches attending the meeting offered to connect the outreach team with local schools and programs; the group also announced a larger community day and a series of summer activities, including an event planned for May 24.
Ending: Organizers asked residents, block clubs and school staff to refer youth and households in need to the outreach hotline and to invite the group to block-club meetings and school dismissal times for direct engagement.
