103PCT. COMMUNITY COUNCIL, THE HIP-HOP SUMMIT YOUTH COUNCIL, POWER 105.1 RADIO, THE SOURCE MAGAZINE, METROPCS, RAVEPCS, vitaminwater, AND 50 CENT JOIN FORCES TO STOP THE VIOLENCE
Shootings and murders have now become a common occurrence in America as most of us have become desensitized to violence. After years of a decline in violent crimes in several major U.S. cities has spiked during the first half of this year. The number of murders in 2015 jumped by 33% or more in Baltimore, New Orleans and St. Louis. Meanwhile in Chicago, the nation’s third-largest city, the homicide toll climbed 19% and the number of shooting incidents increased by 21% during the first half of the year. The increased violence is disproportionately impacting poor Black and Latino neighborhoods. Criminologists note that the surge in murders in many big American cities came after 20 years of decline. Homicide rates peaked in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s as crack-cocaine wreaked havoc on many urban areas. In NYC more than 2,200 murders were counted in 1993.
To address the increase in crime, 2015 marks the 32nd Annual National Night Out Against Crime initiative (NNO). In 2014, 38.1 million people participated in a host of events which included citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, youth organizations and local, state, and federal officials from 16,540 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases.
As the work continues to improve public safety the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council (HHSYC) with their Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence project partnered with the NYPD to promote the National Night Out Against Crime initiative to: help improve relations between the Community and Police; get more young people involved with the 32 year old Crime Prevention Project; create new ideas to reduce gun and gang violence while empowering local communities. This year the Hip-Hop Against Gun & Gang Violence Campaign received an Inspirational Message from President Obama, along with Proclamations and Resolutions from a host of elected officials including: NYS Governor Cuomo, NYS Senate & Assembly, NYC Mayor de Blasio, NYC Council, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who all recognized the outstanding work of the initiative. This kicked off 105 events over 105 days with Power 105.1 radio, 50 Cent, the Source Magazine, “The Shark” Daymond John, metroPCS, ravePCS, vitaminwater and a host of other sponsors who are all committed to improve public safety.
To achieve their goals the HHSYC created the Night Out Against Crime Talent Search, which offered young participants many ways to win prizes using their talent, skills and/or just attending a National Night Out event in their community in support of their local precinct. The Kings Park event with the 103rd Pct. Community Council in Jamaica, Queens was a major success as many young people for the first time saw police officers as regular citizens going the extra mile to promote a day of fun, food, music, a Karate Demonstration, Bouncers, Face Painting, Award Presentations and Health Vendors. There were greetings, Award Presentations and announcements from a host of elected officials including: Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, City Council Members Ruben Wills; Daneek Miller and Saul Weprin .
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We want to give a big shout out to vitaminwater for supporting this anti-crime event, as well as their gracious contribution of mouth-watering juices and thirst quenching water. It is important for corporations to get involved with events that can help stop the violence and improve relations between the community and law enforcement agencies and we applaud vitaminwater for taking the lead and being socially responsible in this area. One thing that can be said about vitaminwater and 50 cent is that they are always in the ‘hood supporting local events that have an impact on the quality of life in the community. There is a real need for more artist and companies that are committed to public safety and empowering local communities because the government can not do it alone, as you can see by the rise in crime and violence.
Said Detective Ricky Lowe, Community Affairs of the 103rd Pct. “I want to thank the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council, Power 105.1 and vitaminwater for the juices and the water which really helped make our event a success.”
Said 50 Cent “Queens is where I was raised so you know I’m gonna go all out to do anything to stop the violence and encourage young people to step up their game to keep the peace and protect their ‘hood.”
We really appreciate the support we received from vitaminwater and all the other vendors and supporters. I’m looking forward to working with the Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council, Power 105.1 and vitaminwater on other projects that address public safety, police/community relations and youth empowerment,” ended Deputy Inspector John G. Cappelmann.
Said Donna Clopton, former President of the 103rd Pct. Community Council, “Yes this is my last year, I’m moving on. But I do want to thank Charles and Randy Fisher for all their support with vitaminwater and Power 105.1. Their efforts to engage the young citizens and increase our youth attendance was definitely a success and we look forward to helping them expand on their Night Out Against Crime Talent Search Initiative next year.”
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