Amid growing concern over gun violence in Stockton, the city's peacekeepers laid out new efforts on Tuesday to help youth at risk of violence.
Starting last year, peacekeepers with the Office of Violence Prevention provided social services to 24 children between 12 and 17 who are at-risk of gun violence. The peacekeepers' update at city hall came just three weeks after a 17-year-old student was shot to death near campus during a robbery, sparking outcry from parents and other residents.
Peacekeepers intervene by providing help finding a job, stable housing, regular meals, and any other support participants might need to pursue a path other than gang involvement. They also work to de-escalate potential revenge shootings and relocate people who gangs and other violent groups may target.
"Our motto with our clients is, whatever it takes," said Director Lora Larson.
OVP's approach is to connect with the roughly 100 people they believe are driving most gun violence at a given time, based on analyses of every shooting that occurs in the city. In addition to social support, peacekeepers mediated 45 conflicts in 2022 and relocated 31 families last year.
"We let the dust settle, and we let them know that when they are ready, they can reach back out," Larson said. "Behavior change is the hardest thing that any human being does."
