FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 3, 2021

CONTACT:
MayorPress@sandiego.gov

SAN DIEGO Following a deadly weekend in the Mountain View community and with a slew of recent shootings occurring throughout San Diego, Mayor Todd Gloria was joined today by City Councilmembers Monica Montgomery Steppe and Sean Elo-Rivera, Police Chief David Nisleit, and community leaders to call for peace and healing as well as to announce the launch of the pilot No Shots Fired Intervention and Prevention Program.

The recent increase of shootings in our city is cause for great concern, but it demands that we lean-in as a community rather than shy away, said Mayor Gloria. The No Shots Fired program represents an important collaboration between the City, law enforcement and community that seeks to stop gun violence, promote peace and create safer neighborhoods for all of us.

As one of the nations safest big cities, San Diego has seen an uptick in shootings within communities of concern; consistent with increases in violence being seen in large cities across America. The No Shots Fired pilot program seeks to stop these shootings.

This is an important day for investing in and prioritizing public safety for our communities of concern, said Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe, chair of the Committee on Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods. After years of disinvestment and the corresponding impacts of community violence, the No Shots Fired Program is a step in the right direction to provide a policy solution that quells violence, promotes economic justice, and improves community policing relationships.

No Shots Fired is a collaboration between the Commission on Gang Prevention and Intervention, the Community Assistance Support Team (C.A.S.T.), law enforcement and other city partners. Community organizations will be tapped to reach an agreement with gangs in areas most affected by violent crime, such as Southeastern San Diego, to cease fire for a six-month period.

During that time, the organizations will work to provide outreach and resources to known gang members in the target communities and offer the individuals an opportunity for them to exit gang culture and life.

The following efforts will be deployed:

• Community walks
• Street side memorial services
• Faith sponsored peace meals and organized outreach
• Cease fire agreements with gang leaders
• Wrap-around services in-person
• Virtual meetings with gang members to discuss seasons of peace
• Coordination with law enforcement

Every person in every neighborhood has a right to feel safe. Violence, such as that which our community is currently experiencing, disrupts that right, is tragic and traumatic for all those who are involved, and a symptom of pain said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera. The No Shots Fired program represents a holistic and proven method to increase safety in the short-term and heal our communities over the long-term.

The pilot program is anticipated to run through June 2021 with evaluation and potential for expansion at that time. The pilot program is funded by federal Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant funds and is part of the City of San Diegos commitment to investing in safer communities for all San Diegans.

The No Shots Fired Program brings together our community leaders and law enforcement to reach out to the groups causing violence and encourage them to leave behind the gang life that wreaks havoc on peace and safety in our neighborhoods, said Police Chief David Nisleit. Gunfire should not be a sound that families, children and neighbors become accustomed to, so Im proud to support this effort and will ensure our department continues to work closely with the community to prevent violence and keep guns off our street for good.

In 2020, the City of San Diego saw a 28% increase in gun violence and a 20% increase in citizens calling in reports of gunfire. In the past three years, gang members have been responsible for approximately 20% of all murders in the City of San Diego. Unfortunately, in the past 30 days, this trend appears to be increasing.

"An effective public safety policy requires a comprehensive violence reduction strategy, said Bishop Cornelius Bowser. Thecommitment of disrupting and preventing gun violence begins today with the implementation of the No Shots Fired initiative."

No Shots FiredFacts Sheet

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