New Haven's West River neighborhood to launch two-part violence reduction effort

NEW HAVEN - The West River neighborhood Saturday will kick off a new, two-part violence reduction effort that entails street clean-ups, door-to-door outreach to families, read-ins and other activities.

The “No Entry” and “Shun the Gun” initiative aims to prevent youths from entering the criminal justice system and eliminate the need for re-entry support programs for people have already been incarcerated and are returning home.

The West River Neighborhood Services Corp., the Greater Dwight Community Management Team and the Youth Empowerment Squad, a youth group at the Masjid Al-Islam mosque are collaborating on the project.

Activities begin at 7:30 a.m. with a cleanup of the West River Commercial District. Volunteers will meet at the intersection of Derby Avenue and Norton and George streets. The cleanup will be followed by a pancake breakfast, prayer session, mini festival and a door-to-door survey.

The launch of “No Entry” and “Shun the Gun” wraps up at 5 p.m. with a pot luck supper and film at Barnard Environmental School, 170 Derby Ave.