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Youth Job Training Program

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Youth Job Training Programs

YOUTH JOB TRAINING PROGRAMS:
Click on the links below to learn more about these great opportunities.

& the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival is hiring staff & interns!BRIC is the leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn, and one of the largest in New York City. We present and incubate work by artists and media-makers who reflect the diversity that surrounds us. BRIC programs reach hundreds of thousands of people each year, including through our BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival in Prospect Park. BRIC is always hiring and works year-round to offer a variety of internships at our office in Fort Greene, as well as with the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival, where we hire seasonal employees as well as administrative and production interns. Visit our Jobs & Internships page to see the current opportunities and apply today! ( posted 2/27/2018)

Jobs are available at Luna Park on the Coney Island boardwalk this summer! Attend the LUNA PARK SUMMER JOB FAIR on Thursday, March 8th, 2018, 12 PM - 5 PM. The job fair will be held at the B & B Carousel (Kensington Walk & the Parachute Jump on the Boardwalk) Many different types of jobs are available. Attend the March 8th Hiring Event to find out more! Please note that all candidates must bring a copy of their resume. Visit the website for a list of all employment opportunities - LunaParkNYC.com/About/Employment. For more information, contact us at 718-373-5862 or HR@LunaParkNYC.com. Click the link to view the Job Fair Flyer.

Tuition-Free Job Training Program & Paid On-the-Job Training for Women, ages 18-24 - Grace Institute's Young Adult program offers five months of computer and professional training, one year of job-placement services (with an 80% placement rate), workshops with corporations and executives and more. The program runs Monday - Friday, 9am-4pm. Attend an upcoming open house to tour the classrooms, meet the staff and learn more about the application process. Click here to see program flyer. Visit www.graceinstitute.org to register or send an email to admissions@graceinstitute.org or call 212-832-7605. Open Houses are held at 40 Rector Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 1000. Classes begin September 2017!

FREE Master Barber Program Youth are encouraged to sign up for the FREE SUNY/Bronx Educational Opportunity Center Master Barber Licensing Program starting on July 24, 2017. The Master Barber Program is a 500-hour program to prepare adult students for the official New York State Licensing Master Barber Exam. Instructions include theory and as well as modules to assist the students in signing up for the official state licensing practical exam, job placement assistance and information on how to start their own businesses. The program is generally 20 weeks, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. (Subject to change) TABE Scores required are: Reading 8.5 - Math 7.0. Click on this link for more. Registration takes place every Monday and Wednesday starting at 8:30 a.m. (Closed on holidays) with the Required Documents.

New! Teen Career Connection (TCC)- The YMCA recognizes many teenagers cannot secure work over the summer. The majority of employment opportunities available to teens oftentimes do very little to build their resumes or skill sets. The West Side YMCA has developed Teen Career Connection to address this need. TCC is an eight-week comprehensive internship program, providing NYC youth an unparalleled opportunity. Teens first go through two weeks of intensive professional development, followed by six weeks of hands-on learning experience at an organization/business matched to the student's career aspirations. In addition to the training and internship experience, teens get linked to a professional who serves as their mentor, supporting them throughout their time in the program. For more information, click here to visit website or call 212-912-2665 or email Greg Mateo at gmateo@ymcanyc.org.

New! Training Program - Stage NYC is a FREE 12-week culinary training program designed to meet the growing demand for qualified kitchen employees in New York City's restaurants while simultaneously increasing access for young adults looking to start their careers in the culinary arts. Stage NYC is seeking applicants ages 18-24 years old (but anyone over age 18 is encouraged to apply.) Participants will gain the technical skills, industry exposure and paid on-the-job training experience with various restaurant employers, necessary to launch and grow rewarding careers as line cooks in the hospitality industry. During the on-the-job training portion of StageNYC participants will be paid $12 an hour by their host restaurant. While not guaranteed, this position does have the possibility to turn into full-time work after the training. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and live in New York City. The first cohort of participants will start training on Monday, May 1 st. Apply today! Click here to visit website for more information and to apply.

NYC's Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) is accepting applications through March 17th! SYEP provides New York City youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with paid summer employment for up to six weeks in July and August. Participants work in a entry-level jobs in a variety of exciting industries. Youth can apply for the program online, at a community-based organization during the application period or atCB14′s 10th Annual Youth Conference on March 15th at the Flatbush YMCA. Participants are selected by lottery for the program. For more information, call 311 or DYCD Youth Connect at 1-800-246-4646. The application deadline is 3/31/2017.

NEW! NPower offers FREE Technology Training and Career Development for NYC Young Adults (ages 18-25.) Apply today for a free 22-week, intensive IT training program designed for underserved young adults who have earned a GED or high school diploma. Cisco Networking Academy's IT Essentials curriculum includes hardware, software, server and networking. Morning or afternoon classes are available. Students will have the opportunity to learn from senior IT industry executives, participate in a seven week internship, earn a CompTIA A+ Certification & benefit from post-program employment opportunities and continued learning services. For more information, visit npower.org/technologyservicecorps, email AdmissionsBrooklyn@npower.org or call 347-415-8830/8832. Click here to see program flyer!

Brooklyn Job Corps Academy: Students receive the skills needed to succeed in today's workforce - at no cost to them or their families! If you are looking for a better quality of life and are willing to dedicate yourself to our life changing program, Brooklyn Job Corps is the place for you! Young people interested in joining Job Corps are invited to visit the Job Corps Recruiting Web site or call (800) 733-JOBS today!

Business Careers Exploring program: This program is open to young people, ages 14-21, with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Business. Business Exploring is a hands-on program that exposes participants to many of the major functional areas within a business including Sales/Marketing, Operations, Finance/Accounting, Customer Service, Human Resources, and Information Technology.

Center for Employment Opportunities: CEO offers comprehensive employment services exclusively for people with criminal records, with an emphasis on providing services to Young Adults ages 18-25.

Center for Family Life Youth Employment Program: The Youth Employment Program (YEP) encourages skill development, supports career and educational goals, increases civic engagement and provides a creative and supportive environment for young people. Monthly stipends are offered for high school participants in WAVE, Rise-On, CAP, SEEK and Step-Up.

Clerical Skills Training & GED Support (Ages 17-24) - This paid 20-week training program includes Business administrative/customer service skills; Public speaking and communications skills; College access assistance; Job placement assistance; High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation; Networking w/ corporate executives.The program also includes a biweekly stipend and a free metrocard. Click here to see the program flyer. For more information visit www.obtjobs.org or email outreach@obtjobs.org or call 718-369-0303.

Community Organizer Apprenticeship Program - The Center for Neighborhood Leadership trains the next generation of community leaders and increases the capacity of grassroots organizations to win concrete changes for communities. The Organizing Apprenticeship is a rigorous ten month, five day per week training and educational program. Apprentices spend four days per week working at a host site, and one day per week in training. The Apprenticeship is conducted in partnership with Public Allies New York (PANY). Apprentices are paid a total of $17,000 and contribute 1,700 hours of service for the ten months. Candidates who speak Spanish, are ages 17-24, and do NOT have college degrees are especially encouraged to apply. The apprenticeship term will begin in Fall 2015 and conclude on June 30, 2016. For more information, click here to view the application, visit the website or contact Ericka Stallings at ericka.s@anhd.org.

Coney Island will soon be hiring for Summer 2016! Positions will be available in customer service, food service & more. Apply for summer positions as a Ride or Game Operator, Grounds Supervisor, Park Services Attendant, Cashier, EMT, Cook, Server and more! Spend next summer at the beach having fun and earning money! There are also some year round park support staff positions available. To find out about jobs at Luna Park, click this link. To apply, visit the Coney Island Recruitment Center's website by Clicking This Link. You must click the Register Now button at the bottom of the webpage in order to apply for specific positions.

COPO Youth Career Day - Young people are invited to attend a career fair at Kingsborough Community College on Saturday, June 11th, 10AM-3PM, to meet with representatives from various NYC & NYS Law Enforcement agencies including DOJ, FBI, NYPD, US Secret Service, USPS Inspection Service, DOS, Coast Guard, GDNY & more. Fore more information, click here to see event flyer or contact Aasma Mehdi @ amehdi@copo.org or 718-434-3266 x.126.

Decorative Arts Training for People with Disabilities - The Alpha Workshops Studio School provides free training in the decorative arts to students who are HIVor who are disabled. Students learn extensive painting techniques including gilding with metal leaf; understanding of color and paints; glazing techniques; troweled finishes; and how to transfer designs onto walls for painting, and more. The curriculum is done in two parts - an "Introduction to Decorative Arts Technique" which is ten weeks long, three days per week (from 9:30am to 5:00pm). If the student does well in this course, they are invited to take the advanced course which is 26 weeks long, three days a week (9:30am-5:00pm) and includes a work readiness component to prepare students for entry level work in decorative paining. The program is free for all students and there are also stipends which are provided to help with transportation to and from school. For more information, click here to see program flyer, visit the program website at www.alphaworkshops.org or contact Alpha Workshops Studio School Director Leisa "Doc" Herrera at (212) 594-7320, ext. 24 or email leisa@alphaworkshops.org.

DYCD Youth Job, Volunteer, Intership & Scholarship List: DYCD has created a list ( http://bit.ly/YouthJob) of employment and volunteer opportunities, internships, scholarships and other resources for New York City youth 16 and up.

Earn $1550 in 10 weeks + Job Training! Are you between 17-24 years old and not currently enrolled in school? The Out of School Youth (OSY) program is offering 10 weeks of paid training & customer service certification. To find out more, click here to see program flyer or contact the Italian American Civil Rights League at 718-642-2180.

Flatbush YMCA ( Part & Full-Time positions available) - Available positions include Afterschool Counselors ($10-$11hr), Activity Specialist ($15 hr), After school Coordinator ($15 hr), Education Coordinator ($38hr), Social Worker ($38 hr), Site Program Director ($38,000-45,000/annually). To apply, please send your resume to YMCA Director Kendall Charter at kcharter@ymcanyc.org or drop it off at the YMCA at 1401 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210. For more information call 718-469-8100×4528 or visit http://www.facebook.com/ymcanyc#!/FlatbushYMCA

FEDcap Youth Training Network Program - The FEDcap program offers FREE Occupational Training leading to certification and job placement in a choice of (1) Home Care (2) Food Services and (3) Information Technology; HSE preparation classes; career-based mentorship; and comprehensive support/case management services (i.e., Legal Advisement, Housing Referrals, etc.) to young adults, ages 16 thru 24, who are not working and not in school. FEDcap has open house/walk-in intakes daily from 10am to 4pm, at their office, located at the POE Building, 2432 Grand Concourse, 5th Floor, Bronx, NY 10458. Applicants should bring the following documentation to the open house to expedite the enrollment process: (1) Birth Certificate (2) Government/State ID (3) Social Security Card, and (3) Proof of Address. For more information click the following links: Introductory/overview sheet; Eligibility checklist; Program flyer. Questions or to make a referral? Contact Eric Fernandez, Career/Job Development Specialist, Youth Training Network Program, at 917-477-2895 or efernandez@fedcap.org

LaGuardia Community College Justice Community Program: LaGuardia Community College's Justice Community Program offers community benefit projects and civic engagement, transferable job skills to help build an individual's resume, career counseling, job readiness workshops, mentoring and leadership opportunities, and a chance to earn up to $300 a month and metro cards for achieving program goals ($1,350 max). In order to qualify an individual must: be between the ages of 16-24, have had some type of criminal involvement within the past year/an individual who is at risk of having criminal involvement, and someone who is on probation/parole. All interested parties should contact Vanessa Jarvis at 718-482-5171 or vjarvis@lagcc.cuny.edu.

Laptops, Workshops & Job Readiness Skills @ at eight branches of the Brooklyn Public Library in Bushwick, Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville. All for free! Click for more information.

Law Enforcement Explorers Programs: Law Enforcement Exploring is a community service, career-oriented program designed to educate young men and women, ages 14-20, about Law Enforcement. Agencies including the FBI, DEA, U.S. Customs Service, NYPD, NYS-MTA Police, AMTRAK Police, NYC Department of Correction, New York State Police and U.S. Secret Service sponsor programs, participate in the Law Enforcement Academy and make their agents and facilities available for training.

Medical Information Technology Training Program: This program, presented by STRIVE, is open to Young Adults, ages 18-24, who have either a high school diploma or a GED. This program is free and carfare is provided once participant has begun training! The next cycle of the MITT program will begin May 9, 2014! For more information, contact STRIVE, located at 240 east 123 rd Street (3 rd floor) by calling (212) 360-1100. Ask for program coordinator Teresa Diaz, Davil Jackson, or Emmanuel Pacheco. Click Here to see the program flyer.

No Kidding - The Human Resources Administration's No Kidding: Straight Talk from Teen Parents program brings real teen moms and dads to schools throughout New York City to talk about the difficult experience of raising a child, and to encourage teens to wait until they are financially stable adults to have children. To become a peer educator, you must be a loving and committed parent between the ages of 18-20, available to work at least 32 hours per week with an outgoing personality and good interpersonal skills. The position of Peer Educator pays up to $17/hour plus you will receive specialized training and support. You do not have to be living with your child to qualify. Email Lisa Rosario at lisa.rosario@dfa.state.ny.us to apply.

NYC Web Development Fellowship is now accepting applications for its next training (July-December 2015.) The NYC Web Development Fellowship is an intensive training program designed to equip New Yorkers with the skills necessary to launch careers in web development. The 22-week program is provided free of cost to participants and includes a five-month on-campus training, a 12-week paid internship, and connection to jobs in technology. The program is for NYC residents ages 18 - 26 who do not have a four-year college degree and who do not have professional web development experience. Contact the Flatiron School regarding upcoming deadlines. They are reviewing candidates on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the better! If you have any questions about the opportunity, email the Web Development staff at the Flatiron School ( nycworkforce1@flatironschool.com). The direct link for the program's website: http://flatironschool.com/nycworkforce1/

Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow: The mission of Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT) is to help disadvantaged youth and adults recognize their own self-worth, and advance towards self-sufficiency and financial security through job training, academic reinforcement, improved life skills, job placement, and support services. OBT offers several for young people including Youth Employment Training & TASC which includes class instruction in Business English, Business Math, Keyboarding, Office Procedures, Computer Training, Public Speaking & Communication (2 hours/week), and World of Work. Pre-GED and GED (TASC) classes are taught on-site at Bushwick or Sunset Park locations by NYC Department of Education (District 79) teachers. Tutoring is available for youth who are in need of extra preparation. Each participant is assigned to a supervisor (counselor) who monitors the trainee's progress and offers one-on-one assistance with personal, educational, and career problems. OBT also offers the Young Adult Internship program (YAIP) to young people, ages 17-24. Young people selected for the YAIP internship program will increase work experience, enhance professional skills and make $2,800 in 14 weeks! Interested candidates can contact the YAIP Youth Coordinator Alexandria Bellivan directly at 718-387-1600 or via email abellivan@obtjobs.org For general program information, contact OBT at 718-387-1600 or 718-399-9700.

Restaurant Industry Training - The Colors Hospitality and Opportunities for Workers (CHOW) Institute, a program of ROC-NY, offers a FREE 6-week Culinary Arts and Front of the House Restaurant skills training program to New York City residents, including individuals and families with employment barriers (Click to see flyer.) Courses include Basic Cooking, Basic Pastry, Specialty Coffee/Barista, Edible Design & Cold Food Prep, NYC Food Protection Course & Certification, Server Training, Basic Wine Training, Customer Service Training & Basic Bartending Training. Orientations are offered twice a week. Call 212-343-1771 or visit www.rocny.org for more information.

Retail & Service Training - This Way Ahead is nine-month program for young adult ages 16-21 who are in school and want to gain job and leadership skills. With a coaching program and the partnership of major businesses (like Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic), you'll be setting yourself up for success after high school. To learn more about This Way Ahead, offered by Manhattan-based organization The Door, contact Jiselle Nunez-O'Neal at 212-941-9090, ext. 3332 or by email at jnunez@door.org, or Matthew Hayward at mhayward@door.org.

Summer Youth Employment Opportunity! The Parks Department and Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) are looking to hire for their summer youth employment programs. They will be interviewing youth, ages 14-24 at Senator Sander's Job Fair on May 12th at the Rockaway YMCA. For more information about the event, click here to visit website. If you need assistance with your resume or professional attire, please contact Senator Sander's office at 718-327-7017. Good luck and be sure to tell your friends.

Target (Retail Store) is hiring Seasonal Workers: Click the link to view the current opportunities! http://bit.ly/1W0Step

The School of Cooperative Technical Education (Co-op Tech) is accepting Applications for fall! Co-op Tech offers half-day vocational programs for both in and out of school students ages 16-21 years old, with hands on training in a variety of in demand and cutting edge trade areas including Construction, Health, IT & the Service Industry. Co-op Tech attend traditional high schools, Pathways to Graduation programs or may have already graduated from high school. Enrolled Co-op Tech students take part in the Department of Education's Work Based Learning (WBL) Program and are matched with an internship partner. Some internships are paid. Classes are offered in all five boroughs. For more information, visit Coop Tech's website at www.co-optech.org or call the Brooklyn campus at (718) 222-6600.

TV & Film Production Assistant Training Program: 4-week "Made in NY" training program for individuals who want to start a career in TV and film production. Leads to certification by the New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting and two years of job placement assistance. Program requirements include: 21 years old or older, NYC Resident, valid driver's license, unemployed or low income. Contact 718-237-2017 ext. 145.

Urban Youth Jobs Program: This program can help you get a job! Plus, you may earn up to $900 to cover your expenses during training. Getting certified for the program is a snap; see the website for details. The NY Urban Youth Jobs Program (formerly NY Youth Works) encourages businesses to hire unemployed, disadvantaged youth. Are you between the ages of 16 & 24. Do you need help finding a job? The Urban Youth Jobs Program can assist you! The goal is to help you get into the workplace and succeed. First, all you have to do is get certified by the NYS Department of Labor. That's easy. Just click the link & fill out the youth application. Applicants can fax, mail or email in applications for the 2015 Program Year by December 31, 2015.

Web Designing & Coding Job Training Program (Ages 17-24) - Enroll now in a free web design & coding program! You will learn all the basics of web design, coding, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and more, plus gain skills to analyze information using digital technology. Prepare for the Adobe Certified Associate Certification in Photoshop, develop critical thinking skills, get college access and job placement assistance. For more information, click here to see program flyer, or call 718-801-8970 or email innovationlab@industrycity.com.

Year Up New York (Recruitment Information Sessions) - Year Up New York is currently recruiting for the program cycle beginning March 7, 2017. Interested young adults must attend an information session by February 4th in order to be eligible. Year Up is a PAID one-year, intensive training program that provides low-income young adults, ages 18-24, with a combination of hands-on skills development, coursework eligible for college credit, corporate internships, and wraparound support. Their mission is to close the "opportunity divide" by providing young adults with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through professional careers and higher education. Eligibility requirements:18-24 years old, High school graduate or GED recipient, Low to moderate income, U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or have an employment authorization card, Available 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) for the full year of the program; Highly motivated to learn new technical and professional skills. For more information, Click Here to download program flyer or contact Ryan Overton, Director of Recruitment, Phone: (646) 341-6785; Email: ROverton@YearUp.org.

Young Adult Internship Program - Apply for a 14 week PAID internship & earn up to $2800! If you are a young person ages 17-24 years old and you are not working, not in school and do not have a college degree, you may qualify for this program. In addition to the paid internship, you can get help with your resume and interview skills, education planning, career exploration, professional communication skills, job search assistance and more. For more information and to schedule an appointment call 212-453-5381 /5392 /5394 / 5366. More infomation is available online at www.nmic.org/yaip.

Youth Advisor Job Opportunity (Applicant must be between 18-28 years old) - The Bureau of Children, Youth, & Families (CYF) in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is looking to hire a Youth Advisor! To view the job posting, visit: http://on.nyc.gov/2aI1FZi

Youth Employment and Education Services: The Isaacs Center helps residents ages 16-24 who are unemployed or underemployed and not currently in school get a job that leads to a career. Services include career counseling, soft skills training, and high school equivalency classes. For more information about applying for the cycle that begins January 6, contact Gina Altano at 212-360-7625 ext.217 or Galtano@Isaacscenter.org. The Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Youth Center) is located at 1792 First Avenue, New York, NY 10128.

YouthBuild program - YouthBuild is a program for out-of-school young adults, ages 17-24 years old, who do not have a high school diploma or their High School Equivalency (HSE, formerly known as GED) certification and would like to participate in HSE, Construction and Leadership Development Training. This program offers students the ability to earn your High School Equivalency certification in addition to completing a Home Builders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Certificate course and a 10-hr. OSHA Construction Safety Course. For more information call Liz at 212-822-8355, Jessica at 212-453-5369 or Edwin at 212-453-5381.

Not sure what you want to do for a career? Check out the New York State Department of Labor's new CareerZone Informational Video Series and online resources including self-assessment tools, resume and applications tools, and more. CareerZone is a great place to explore careers related to your strengths, skills and talents. Get started today by visiting www.careerzone.ny.gov.

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Youth Job Training Programs | Brooklyn Community Board 14 | Brooklyn Community Board 14

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70th Precinct Newsletter Click above to read the latest NYPD 70th Precinct newsletter or email 70pctcommunityaffairs @nypd.org to request to be added to the mailing list. Did you know that you can receive emailed updates from New York City Agencies? Click this link and fill out the form to receive email updates from any of the 34 participating NYC agencies.

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Cure Violence providers in 17 precincts

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Issues Affecting Youth

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Shanduke McPhatter is the Founder of G-Macc, Inc. It is an organization dedicated to tackling the issue of gun violence and gang activity in addition to other issues that affect the youth. June is Gun Awareness Month and to commemorate it, there was a recent "wear orange" campaign. Tragically, Shanduke lost his brother Ronald "Banga" McPhatter at a concert in Irving Plaza last month. With all these issues swirling around, The Source decided to speak with Shanduke on his organization, gun violence awareness month, the loss of his brother and much more.
Can you talk about Gun Violence Awareness Month?
For me, I was one of those who wanted to change what was going on in our areas in the 'hood. It's about awareness. Blacks and browns are portrayed to act as animals, but there are different reasons as to why they carry themselves that way.
Gun violence is an issue that affects many urban communities across the country. In cities like Chicago and New Orleans, the violence seems to be higher in comparison to New York City. Can you talk about what's happening in these other communities?
It's hard for me to speak on what's going on in those cities, but the statistics are not normal. Last year's stats were very similar in those cities. For me not being able to be there to talk those leaders in the communities makes it very difficult to have an opinion. Different issues happen in different cities. For us in New York, based on the statistics on the areas where we focus the gun violence is going down. It's all about communication. Gun violence is a national issue and there should be a national conversation around the topic.
There's a lot bravado in Hip Hop and bragging about street life, with elements of gun violence. Does today's music have an affect on the youth that are listening to it?
I try to look at it from all perspectives. A lot of individuals rap about it because it's where they are from. Some live it and some don't. But the music does have an effect. That's what causes people to react and what their state of mind is like. The body accepts what the mind takes in.
What's the difference between music when you were were younger to what it is now?
When I came up in the 80s and 90s you had gangsta music among other types of music. Now it's a lot more aggression, but there's also a lot more aggression in society in general. You can block out certain things in music, but society promotes violence. The younger generation adapts to it. Social media does add to the aggression. Even now, there's Hip Hop that's not aggressive and has a different message. The positive doesn't get the attention the negative does.
How does your organization work with other organizations on the issue of gun violence?
I work with a lot of different grassroots organizations. Groups like Man Up, Life Camp, people like The Fertado Brothers, We Rise. People like Tamika Mallory with Justice League. People who come from Hip Hop, like Mysonne. These organizations work on issues like anti-violence, community resources, criminal justice issues and police brutality. We work to make a big difference. We focus on building with community leaders. We were present at 20 th Anniversary of the Million Man March and work within the Urban Peace & Relief Coalition. It's a coalition of community groups to combat gun violence.
What does your organization G-MACC do in the community?
Our focus is to talk to people and calm down situations. It's prevention. We mediate on a street level. It's a different job from the police. The NYPD is there to make arrests after the shots happen. Police get information from the streets and we are already in the streets, so we should be able to prevent things from happening. We have documented interruptions. There are ways for us to track these statistics. Within the New York City crisis management system which is funded by the City Council and the Mayor's office. The system has over 4,000 interruptions and prevented many retaliations. The system has also employed those who have been formerly convicted to become tax-paying citizens and using their past experiences to give back to their community. Our organization also uses statistics from various agencies. But most importantly we are also in the streets talking and communicating with the people. It's also about the resources and parenting accountability. We need to have parents who understand what we do. Right now, there is an epidemic of girls fighting and we know a fight can escalate and can turn into gun violence and we want to try and mediate those fights.
New York City is currently grappling with budgetary issues for jobs for youth in the summer. Explain the connection between summer youth jobs and the connection with the crime rate?
Councilman Jumaane Williams is pushing legislation for summer jobs and allocating funds to the youth. There are many that didn't move to fund legislation. So you are going to have kids with idle time all day, not making any money. That adds to more crime. Summer youth jobs are crime prevention. If a job can prevent crimes for adults, it's been proven to be the same for youth.
Can you talk about the disconnect between the younger generation and older generation and how it affects this issue?
The younger generation feels the older generation doesn't understand them. The older generation is looking down on the younger generation as if they are a lost cause. So the younger people feel to act out towards it and a lot of the older generation don't reach back and understand that they are our children and our commitment.
What has life been like since losing your brother Ronald a.k.a. Banga to gun violence?
If I ever think about slowing down, it changed my position. I was caught up in the system and the cycle of the lifestyle and I wanted to do better for my children. I have experienced gun violence and lost people that I knew. It's different when it's your sibling. I could never relate to them and now I can. It helps me relate to them on the level of knowing the emotions, grief and trauma.
How can the issue of gun violence be addressed?
Prevention is the key. Gun violence is a disease and should be tackled from a public health perspective. It's a mental issue. It's contagious and then we need resources to fight. Gun violence has to be addressed first and foremost as a public health issue, looking at it from a mental aspect first. Once those who have the resources understand the effort to minimize gun violence, then we will have support for the answers to how to really address the issues of gun violence.
Gun violence has been and continues to be an issue for society to grapple with. What do you think this issue will look like in the future?
I believe the future of gun violence looks more on the positive side, the reason being people are opening their eyes and minds to the severity of gun violence and that it doesn't just affect urban communities. So the future holds continue positive change because it's not just the work we are doing the streets but the laws being passed for safer gun laws and safer communities.

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[Interview] Shanduke McPhatter, Brother Of Slain Ronald "Banga" McPhatter, Talks Gun Violence Awareness Month | The Source

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Shanduke McPhatter is the Founder of G-Macc, Inc. It is an organization dedicated to tackling the issue of gun violence and gang activity in addition to other issues that affect the youth. June is Gun Awareness Month and to commemorate it, there was a recent "wear orange" campaign.

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NYC Pilot Sideshow

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New York Evaluations (NYC-Cure) — John Jay Research & Evaluation Center - Survey Data

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Director of Community Justice Unit Testimony

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Director of Community Justice Unit Testimony

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Gun Violence Crisis Management System - Neighborhood News

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DNAinfo New York: New York's leading neighborhood news source-covering entertainment, education, politics, crime, sports, and dining.

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Impact (Intended)

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Citizens Crime Commission Analysis on Youth Crime

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Citizens Crime Commission Analysis on Youth Crime

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Gun Violence Crisis Management System

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East Harlem, Manhattan (23rd Precinct); North Harlem, Manhattan (32nd Precinct); South Bronx (40th Precinct); Morrisania (42nd Precinct); East Concourse-Concourse Village, Bronx (44th Precinct); University Heights-Morris Heights, Bronx (46th Precinct); Eastchester-Edenwald-Baychester, Bronx (47th Precinct); Seagate-Coney Island, Brooklyn (60th Precinct); East Flatbush-Farragut, Brooklyn (67th Precinct); Brownsville, Brooklyn (73rd Precinct); East New York-Pennsylvania Ave, Brooklyn (75th Precinct); Crown Heights, Brooklyn (77th Precinct); Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn (79th Precinct); Far Rockaway, Queens (101st Precinct); South Jamaica, Queens (113th Precinct); Queensbridge-Ravenswood-LIC, Queens (114th Precinct); and North Shore, Staten Island (120th Precinct).

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De Blasio Administration Invest $12.7 Million

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The official website of the City of New York

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City invests $12.7 million to expand comprehensive, neighborhood-based strategy to prevent gun violence to reach 14 precincts accounting for 51 percent of shootings in New York City
NEW YORK -Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito today announced the expansion of the City's efforts to reduce gun violence, through the creation of the "Gun Violence Crisis Management System," a citywide initiative to reduce gun violence, from five to 14 precincts accounting for 51 percent of shootings across the city. The new initiative expands on a previous system that includes and is centered around the "cure violence" model and now includes "wrap around" services, programs that respond to meet the needs of every spectrum in the community that is impacted by gun violence. This new strategy employs evidence-based community interventions, anti-violence messaging, and support services in areas with high rates of gun violence, and will be driven by the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, the Departments of Education, Health and Mental Hygiene, Probation and Youth and Community Development, and the City University of New York. The Mayor and Speaker were joined by Council members, administration officials, along with advocates at today's announcement.

The cure violence model, an evidence-based public health approach, identifies and engages individuals most likely to be involved in gun violence and deploys interventions aimed at curbing that behavior before it occurs, including retaliatory shootings. The project employs "violence interrupters," typically former gang members who have turned their lives around, to quell street disputes-intervening before escalation to gun violence-and links potential shooters to case management and supportive services.

"While New York remains the safest big city in the nation and crime has continued to drop citywide, gun violence remains a challenge," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "With this initiative, we are creating a focused effort incorporating mental health services, legal services, after-school programs-using models of proven success and targeting the communities where nearly half of the city's shootings occur-into our effort to reduce gun violence and create a safer New York."

"What started out as a City Council pilot program in five high-need communities in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island, has now been expanded to provide comprehensive violence prevention and de-escalation services in 10 more at-risk neighborhoods," said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. "By focusing on the communities with the highest levels of shootings and working with those at-risk for committing violence, the City's Crisis Management System will be able to prevent shootings before they happen and help save lives. I thank the de Blasio administration for partnering with the Council on this important initiative to make our city even safer and for their continued efforts to permanently eradicate gun violence in our city."

"Today's initiative recognizes that reducing gun violence calls on every one of us and requires using every proven method at our disposal, whether it is neighbors reinforcing that violence is not acceptable, or 'credible messengers' de-escalating disputes or schools tutoring kids who are failing, or cops walking a beat and engaging in neighborhoods," said Director of the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Elizabeth Glazer. "At the heart of every strategy, is the strong research and practice that shows that when crime goes down when people are treated with respect and their voices are heard.

This $12.7 million initiative-funded jointly by the de Blasio administration and the City Council-expands the cure violence system and will bring together six City agencies to support:

Creation of an organization to oversee the City's efforts, chaired by the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, that will include City agencies and providers to ensure coordination of programming and services; and continued support of research to ensure program effectiveness and accountability.

Expansion and addition of "wrap around," community-based preventive services, such as job training, mental health and legal services, which will increase the likelihood of long-term violence reduction.

Establishment of school-based conflict mediation and anti-violence programs, including the Match program, which provides daily tutoring in Algebra to high school students, and which random-control trials have demonstrated reduction in violence by 44 percent-while improving academic performance by three grades.

Establishment of an anti-violence program training academy to train neighborhood-based anti-gun violence providers to ensure consistency and fidelity to the effective models of community based anti-violence work.

Development of community messaging and educational materials to reinforce community norms against gun violence, similar to successful campaigns promoting seatbelt use and against smoking.

With today's expansion, cure violence will reach the following precincts: East Harlem, South Manhattan (23rd Precinct); North Harlem, Manhattan (32nd Precinct); South Bronx (40th Precinct); East Concourse-Concourse Village, Bronx (44th Precinct); University Heights-Morris Heights, Bronx (46th Precinct); Eastchester-Edenwald-Baychester, Bronx (47th Precinct);
Seagate-Coney Island, Brooklyn (60th Precinct); East Flatbush-Farragut, Brooklyn (67th Precinct); Brownsville, Brooklyn (73rd Precinct); East New York-Pennsylvania Ave, Brooklyn (75th Precinct); Far Rockaway, Queens (101st Precinct); South Jamaica, Queens (113th Precinct); Queensbridge-Ravenswood-LIC, Queens (114th Precinct); and North Shore, Staten Island (120th Precinct).

Today's announcement comes on the heels of on the addition of 100 Summer Youth Employment jobs for young people engaged in the cure violence program, and builds on the work of the City Council's Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, and the resulting $4.8 million initiative launched by the Council in Staten Island, the South Bronx, East New York, South Jamaica, Queens and Harlem.

"As co-chair of the Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, I would like to thank Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for their support in expanding this anti-gun violence initiative to the neighborhoods that need it most. Preventing shootings cannot be left to policing tactics alone, so for the past three years, the task force has worked to combat gun violence using a multi-pronged approach involving all city agencies, community members and violence-interrupter groups. Though New York has experienced gun violence in ebbs and flows, today's expansion is an important step toward making a serious impact in this city," said Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, Deputy Leader, co-chair of the Council's Task Force to Combat Gun Violence.

"We welcome this great news, because when it comes down to public safety anything that can be done is significant. This initiative is indeed complementary to our current efforts to scale down crime. Enabling community organizations by bringing in resources to offer intensive services is an integral approach to reduce gun violence," said Council Member Fernando Cabrera, Co-chair of the Task Force to Combat Gun Violence.

"Every New Yorker should feel safe in their home, on the streets, and in their neighborhood, and together with the administration, we are taking a stand to end gun violence in New York City," said New York City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. "This significant increase in funding will provide educational programming and services that will stop gun violence before it happens in our communities. Preventing gun violence before it occurs has always been a priority of the New York City Council. Bringing the initiative to the Queensbridge Houses, the largest public housing development in the country, shows the Council's commitment to ending this epidemic and making our neighborhoods safer."

"I have supported and advocated for the Anti-Gun Violence Initiative since before I joined the City Council, and I celebrate the increased investment that will allow this program to expand to affected communities, including Bedford-Stuyvesant. The Anti-Gun Violence uses community-based, research driven strategies to decrease violence and to address its individual and community impacts. In contrast to the city's reliance on stop-and-frisk, growing the Anti-Gun Violence Initiative ends the clear, powerful message that it is better and more effective to work in partnership with community members than to violate residents constitutional rights in the hope that it will lead to increased safety," said Council Member Robert Cornegy.

"Supporting a range of creative strategies that will make our streets and communities safer for New Yorkers throughout our City, this year we have been successful in funding a record number of anti-gun violence initiatives covering 18 communities and increasing the City's financial commitment by more than 250 percent, to $12 million," said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, chair of the Council's Public Safety Committee. "This unprecedented level of support includes a $1 million commitment for the 44th Precinct and funding for anti-gun violence initiatives in the 42nd Precinct, my Bronx district as well. This will make our community safer for thousands of New York's families, and I want to thank Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito and my Council colleagues for their support."

"I am proud that we, as a council, have been able to put more funding in place to help prevent gun violence and expand resources in the communities that need this critical support. However, the reality of gun violence saddens me, and I live for the day when we'll only need to implement funding for programs that enrich and enhance us as a people as opposed to fighting crime," said Council Member Andy King.

"The anti-gun violence initiative will be instrumental in reducing crime not only in my district, but also in nine other resource starved communities in New York City. I am proud to stand with the de Blasio administration and my colleagues in the Council to expand New York City's anti-gun violence initiative on behalf of residents in Far Rockaway. This $6 million allocation will provide the means to combat crime, improve quality of life, and revitalize their neighborhoods," said Council Member Donovan Richards.

"The expansion of the Anti-Gun Violence Initiative to Coney Island and Marlboro is a clear signal that we are taking a zero tolerance approach to the violence that is plaguing our community and will not accept it as the status quo. We are also recognizing that violence is often the symptom of a larger problem that requires counseling, job training, education, mediation, mental health services, and increased enforcement to end this longstanding issue," said Council Member Mark Treyger. "My thanks to Speaker Mark-Viverito, Co-Chairs Williams and Cabrera, the Coney Island Anti-Violence Collaborative and everyone else involved in this effort for their unwavering dedication to the safety our residents. This is a significant step towards ensuring that every New Yorker can walk down their street without the threat of violence hanging over them."

"The recent spate of gun violence illustrates the need for programs such as the City Council's cure violence initiative. Our existing cure violence program has made strides in keeping our neighborhoods safe with trained violence interrupters, conflict mediation, credible messengers and other proven tools. The initiative is one of the many resources we have to defuse gun violence and other volatile situations, and I'm pleased that this City Council Initiative will deliver additional resources to communities where they are needed. I will aggressively continue to work toward seeking solutions to gun violence in the community," said Council Member Debi Rose.

"The cure violence program model has been introduced into some of the most challenging neighborhoods in Baltimore under the name Safe Streets," said Daniel Webster, Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. "Our research showed that the program reduced gun violence in three of the four neighborhoods where it was implemented." Webster's research also found correlations between conflicts mediated by the program and homicide reductions and evidence that the program reduced the acceptance of using guns to settle disputes.

"The safety and security of our students is our most important priority. We work closely with the Mayor and across City agencies to reduce gun violence, so our children can focus on learning in the classroom and laying the educational foundation for brighter futures," said Chancellor Carmen Farina. "We are pleased to join the Mayor's new initiative, which uses collaborative, innovative, and research-based strategies that engage and support families across the City and will lead to safer schools and a safer New York."

"Despite dramatic declines in firearm injuries in New York City, firearms persist as a leading cause of premature death among young men of color," said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett. "This is a serious but preventable public health problem. The expansion of City Council's Anti-Gun Violence Initiative will help address this issue by working with the community to move neighborhoods away from accepting violence as a way of life, encourage high risk youth to approach conflicts non-violently and make other positive life choices, and stop the cycles of violence."

"The community groups that we work are on the front lines in many of the neighborhoods ravaged by gun violence. They keep young people safe and engaged in positive activities. This new initiative will build on and amplify those efforts," said Department of Youth and Community Development Commissioner Bill Chong.

"HHC has been a leader in developing hospital-based violence interruption programs in response to the devastating effects of gun shots, stabbings and assaults that are too familiar to our dedicated emergency room care teams," said HHC President Dr. Ram Raju. With our 'Guns Down Life Up' message and strong neighborhood partners that work with Harlem Hospital and in HHC hospitals in Brooklyn and the Bronx, we are bridging public safety and public health to build healthier communities. We hope to link even more HHC hospitals with the new cure violence community programs."

"The Department of Probation is proud to be a leader in the movement toward community-based justice programs that are focused on providing people with the tools they need to break the cycle of violence," said Commissioner Ana Bermudez. "We look forward to working with the City Council, our partners in City government, and the non-profit sector to engage at-risk New Yorkers and connect them to resources that address their needs and build on their strengths."

"Every city struggles to implement the best, most cost-effective public safety policies. I'm proud that our efforts will be guided by research and evaluation evidence," said Jeff Butts, Director of the Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

"Though violent crime has plummeted in recent years, there are still far too many New Yorkers who live in daily fear of gun violence. I applaud the Mayor and the City Council for directing resources to the neighborhoods that need them the most: those where gunshots still ring out all too frequently. This bold, new approach, which takes a holistic view to fighting crime, will keep residents and families safe," said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr.

"I applaud Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Mark-Viverito for expanding the cure violence program citywide, especially in the 67th and 73rd Precincts in Brooklyn, where we have seen a rise in shootings this year. It's time for all of us to go beyond reacting to senseless gun violence and try to prevent it in the first place. We must make our neighborhoods safe and redirect our youth onto a better path, and this new initiative is a big step in the right direction," said Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth P. Thompson.

"We welcome any collaboration that looks to reduce violence by examining the issues that cause it and then working to stop violence at its root. This is an excellent means of breaking the cycle of violence that will make the Bronx, and the city as a whole, safer for all its inhabitants," said Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson.

"I applaud Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Mark-Viverito and her colleagues for their collaborative efforts in funding the expansion of this important anti-gun violence initiative. While prosecuting gun violence cases has been a longstanding priority of my office, reducing gun violence before it occurs is equally important. Today's initiative will go a long way toward achieving that goal," said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown.

"I commend Mayor Bill de Blasio on his proactive approach to curbing violence in our communities. I am in favor of any initiative that makes Staten Island's streets safer for its law-abiding citizens. We must all work together to fight crime to ensure a brighter future for our youth," said Staten Island District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr.

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De Blasio Administration, City Council Expand Citywide Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence

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City invests $12.7 million to expand comprehensive, neighborhood-based strategy to prevent gun violence to reach 14 precincts accounting for 51 percent of shootings in New York City NEW YORK -Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito today announced the expansion of the City's efforts to reduce gun violence, through the creation of the "Gun Violence Crisis Management System," a citywide initiative to reduce gun violence, from five to 14 precincts accounting for 51 percent of shootings across the city.

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Cure Violence stops the spread of violence in communities by using the methods and strategies

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"Violence interrupters are essential to helping calm the streets. They're essential to helping keep the violence down. They're essential to supporting our communities. My office is proud to support the Cure Violence model.

Karl Racine Attorney General for Washington, DC

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Cure Violence Global - Stopping the Spread of Violence

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"Violence interrupters are essential to helping calm the streets. They're essential to helping keep the violence down. They're essential to supporting our communities. My office is proud to support the Cure Violence model. Karl Racine Attorney General for Washington, DC

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University of Chicago

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Leading researchers will provide policymakers in New York City with rigorous, objective, scientific evidence to help reduce crime, violence and the toll taken by aspects of the criminal justice system.

Crime Lab New York, part of the University of Chicago's Crime Lab, will gather experts from around the nation, spanning disciplines, to develop data-driven approaches to these fundamental societal problems. Using data provided by the city of New York and other government partners, they will identify and evaluate interventions that can be measured and replicated, to help guide the best use of public resources.

This is part of a building University of Chicago effort toward evidence-based analysis of specific policies designed to help address the most fundamental issues facing the nation's cities and to support their most disadvantaged residents.

"Growing out of our strong partnership with the city of Chicago, the Crime Lab model has shown that it is possible for researchers and policymakers to collaborate in a way that uses rigorous scientific study to improve human lives," said President Robert J. Zimmer. "We look forward to this new engagement with the city of New York, as part of the University of Chicago's commitment to making an impact on issues that affect cities around the world."

Crime Lab New York has opened an office co-located with the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice. Early projects will include evaluations of new strategies to enhance the effectiveness and reduce the social harms associated with the administration of criminal justice, interventions to improve educational outcomes for young people by helping better individualize instruction to students who are far behind grade level, and using new "big data" techniques from computer science to help policymakers target the people or neighborhoods who will benefit most from new interventions.

"We now have the opportunity to make New York City the leading laboratory in the country for criminal justice innovation," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "This partnership will allow us to study how interventions like algebra tutoring and extended hours at community centers can provide significant public safety returns to help our city maintain low crime and violence rates."

The Crime Lab approach seeks to change fundamentally the way key policy decisions are made, substituting hard evidence and thorough, objective analysis for the kinds of assumptions and speculation that have often shaped American society's responses to crime.

"This de Blasio administration's 21st-century approach to public safety is committed to shaping policy that is driven by hard evidence and thorough, objective analysis," said Elizabeth Glazer, director of the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice. "Partnering with Crime Lab New York is part of this effort to ensure that our strategies are shaped by science and not speculation."

The launch of Crime Lab New York is supported by a four-year, $4.5 million grant from the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. The foundation, which also has supported Crime Lab work in Chicago, strives to reduce crime, increase public safety and enhance fairness and efficiency in the criminal justice system by promoting a data-driven, evidence-based approach to criminal justice policy and decision-making.

"Among the largest obstacles to reducing crime is the lack of sophisticated research about the strategies that effectively keep our communities safe," said Anne Milgram, Vice President of Criminal Justice at the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. "Through the launch of Crime Lab New York, we will learn more about the programs, interventions and approaches that have the potential to create a significant, positive impact on New York City and cities nationwide."

Crime Lab New York will be led by Faculty Director Jens Ludwig, the McCormick Foundation Professor of Social Service Administration, Law and Public Policy at the University of Chicago; and Executive Director Katy Brodsky Falco, previously the Executive Director of Assessments and Reentry Services at the New York City Department of Correction.

They will be joined by Scientific Director Patrick Sharkey, Associate Professor of Sociology at New York University; and Research Director Aaron Chalfin, who recently completed his PhD in public policy from the University of California at Berkeley.

building upon years of uchicago research

University of Chicago Crime Lab's first office was launched in 2008 by Ludwig and Prof. Harold Pollack, a public health researcher at the University of Chicago. It used randomized evaluations and other methods to attack broad and persistent problems of urban violence.

In one of its best-known collaborations, Crime Lab worked with the city of Chicago to design a competition among local service providers for projects to reduce youth violence. Crime Lab awarded grant funding to "Becoming a Man," a mentoring program developed by Youth Guidance and World Sport Chicago.

Crime Lab research in the years that followed, made possible by Chicago Public Schools, showed that participation in Becoming a Man reduced violent crime arrests by 44 percent, compared to participants' peers. Becoming a Man was recognized on several occasions by President Barack Obama, and served as a model for the White House initiative, "My Brother's Keeper."

Crime Lab also has worked with the Chicago Police Department to identify the sources of guns used in crimes, and with the U.S. Department of Justice to study the effects of placing more police on city streets through the federal COPS grant program. Crime Lab also worked closely with the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center to identify and study ways of reducing violence and problem behaviors inside the facility, and to reduce recidivism rates for young people re-entering the community.

Because the Crime Lab's organizational model has included significant fundraising from both private and governmental sources, city agencies in Chicago have benefited not only from the Crime Lab's rigorous evaluations but also from services provided at no cost to the agencies themselves.

Falco said the timing of Crime Lab New York's creation presents a wide variety of options for researchers and policymakers.

"Crime Lab New York is thrilled to be partnering with New York City. This collaboration offers unique opportunities for both researchers and the city to address not only high-profile types of crime and violence, but to examine more persistent pieces of the crime problem like domestic violence, which haven't historically received enough attention," Falco said.

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Crime Lab New York will help promote evidence-based policies to prevent crime, violence

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Leading researchers will provide policymakers in New York City with rigorous, objective, scientific evidence to help reduce crime, violence and the toll taken by aspects of the criminal justice system.

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NEW YORK - There are more than 300 of them in New York - violent crews of dozens of 12- to 20-year-olds with names such as Very Crispy Gangsters, True Money Gang, and Cash Bama Bullies.

Police say these groups, clustered around a particular block or housing project, are responsible for about 40 percent of the city's shootings, with most of that violence stemming from the smallest of disses on the street, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

"It's like belonging to an evil fraternity," said Inspector Kevin Catalina, commander of the New York Police Department's gang division. "A lot of it is driven by nothing: A dispute over a girl or a wrong look or a perceived slight."

The trend of smaller, younger crews has also been seen in Chicago and Northeast cities over the last few years as police have cracked down on bigger, more traditional gangs, experts said. While the Bloods, Crips, and Latin Kings still exist, operating such money-making schemes as drug dealing, their members are usually older and understand the timeworn mantra of organized crime: violence is bad for business.

Not so for the crews, whose recklessness prompted former Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly in 2012 to launch an initiative to confront the crews dubbed Operation Crew Cut.

Investigators now focus on gathering intelligence about specific crews - understanding their activities, allegiances and feuds, which they glean through traditional street policing and trolling of social media sites, cellphone photos, and even recorded jailhouse calls.

Police have also stepped up arrests of the most active crew members. In Manhattan, prosecutors set up an internal email alert system that notifies them when crew member are arrested, even on minor charges, and provides beyond-the-rap-sheet details for bail arguments. The prosecutor might mention that the person was a suspect in another crime or had made threats on Facebook, for instance.

In a recent case in Harlem, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. says a 2009 killing kindled years of vendetta attacks, including three killings and 30 shootings. Sixty-three people were rounded up, and at least 62 entered guilty pleas, including crew members so young that one told another to "mob up" after school.

"The evidence was very powerful," said Robert Anesi, who represented a 19-year-old who pleaded guilty to attempted murder and conspiracy charges in the case last week. "They had such access to social media and they knew who the players were."

NYPD statistics show gang arrests are up citywide nearly 14 percent from 2013 - and more than 28 percent from two years ago. Shooting incidents citywide are about the same as they were last year, with 282 recorded so far, and are down by nearly 23 percent from two years ago.

Still, crew-related violence persists despite record dips in overall crime in New York City over the last few years. The most notable recent case came in March when investigators say a 14-year-old member of the Stack Money Goons shot a .357 revolver at a rival member of the Twan Family on a crowded bus in Brooklyn. The bullet instead killed an immigrant father who was working two jobs to support his family.

"When you ask young adults, 'Why? Why did you shoot that young man?' Probably 80 percent of the time the answer is: He disrespected me," said Kai Smith, an ex-con-turned-businessman who runs a gang-diversion program in city high schools.

Smith works with students who have been arrested at least once, forcing them to define what disrespect means through exercises and role-playing.

Jamal Williams, 18, a high school junior, says he's been affiliated with crews and gangs since he was 9, though he's trying to turn his life around.

"A crew to me is a family," he said. "They are going to be there for me like my parents was never there for me."

As more crew members are locked up, investigators are noticing a trend of crew members shifting affiliations behind bars, emerging as a sort of hybrid gang-crew combination with diffused connections and alliances.

"That has really complicated this universe," Catalina said. "We went from a traditional gang problem to a crew problem and now we're morphing back into somewhat of a traditional gang problem."

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Teen gangs linked to 40 percent of New York City shootings

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NEW YORK - There are more than 300 of them in New York - violent crews of dozens of 12- to 20-year-olds with names such as Very Crispy Gangsters, True Money Gang, and Cash Bama Bullies.