Providence, Boston lead pilot program to curb gun violence

April 6, 2016 5:30 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Providence is teaming up with Boston in a new pilot program aimed at curbing gun violence.

"Let’s come together as regional leaders and bring all resources to bear to address this very important and critical issue,” said Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. "One single victim is too many."

The announcement was made Wednesday during the New England Regional Gun Violence Summit in Providence.

The program involves honing in on where the illegal guns are coming from, which is often out-of-state where gun laws are looser, according to officials.

The $35,000 plan is fully funded by a grant and donors. More specifics on what the pilot program entails are still in the works. "We’re going to really be taking a best practice, looking at each other and moving a phase from not just public safety but in terms of prevention and how do we do that," explained Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

Officials hope more cities in the region can get involved in the program down the road.

Meanwhile, advocacy groups like States United to Prevent Gun Violence are applauding the measure, but feel people in at-risk communities should also be a part of the solution. "I think in order to empower those groups of people and make them part of that community solution process is really vitally important and I would like to see more of them at this table as well as representatives of those communities."

Officials expect data from the pilot program in about a year.