An article in Friday June 28 edition of the New York Times captioned "Fingers Crossed in Boston as Murder Rate Plummets" caught my attention so much that I saved the page for follow up review. And after re-reading this article I researched Boston Mayor Wu and her crime prevention efforts.

Through June 28 of this year, Boston has had four homicides--a 78 percent reduction from the 18 that occurred in 2023 through the same time period.

In 2022 Boston Mayor Wu announced several violence prevention and intervention initiatives. These included a Community Ambassador's Program, "Adopt a Block" initiative, Operation Homefront, and new employment and job training opportunities.

The Community Ambassador's Program was designed to engage, inform and support residents who were most vulnerable to gun and gang violence. The Ambassadors are residents of Boston neighborhoods with close community ties and a shared commitment to anti-violence programming.

The "Adopt a Block" initiative is a partnership between the City of Boston and various faith communities to serve residents and families in neighborhoods that have historically experienced an increase in violence during the summer months.

Operation Homefront is a collaboration between the Boston Police Department and Boston Public Schools. The program centers around community-building and family relationships in violence prevention and interaction. Home visits are made to inform parents about their child's behavior and provide resources.

Mayor Wu also instituted several programs for youth and summer job programs.

Boston's Violence Intervention Advocacy Program addresses gang violence and hospital outreach programs. The program's trauma counselors provide "emotional first-aid" and logistical/legal help to victims of violence and their families. The program addressed the well-being of young people--pulling them out of things that can push them towards violence, retaliatory violence, or associating with neighborhood groups that may be engaged in violence.

In May of this year, Mayor Wu rolled out a lengthy summer safety plan that focuses on addressing the root causes of violence. A gun violence intervention program focused on micro-locations that identified people and locations where serious gun violence occurred.

I realize that Shreveport has several programs that emanate those listed above. I also understand that our City has other programs dedicated to the reduction of crime. And like all crime prevention efforts, some attempts are more successful than others.

Through Monday July 8, Shreveport has had 35 homicides and there have been three in the parish outside the city limits. Nine people, between the ages of 12 and 19, have been killed so far this year. All of these were gunned down, all were Black and eight were males. Fifteen teenagers have been homicide victims in the parish.