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In wake of shootings, Fort Pierce is looking at these new initiatives to keep city safe

WPTV has reported on numerous shootings in Fort Pierce and working on what's being done to combat gun violence

The Fort Pierce Police Department held its 6th annual Unity in Our Community event on Wednesday in an effort to improve the community through their new peace and safety initiative.

Unity in our Community Fort Pierce July 17 2024.JPG

By: Jon Shainman

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FORT PIERCE, Fla. — For weeks, we've been reporting on efforts in Fort Pierce to keep that city safe after a recent spate of gun violence--whether it's new security cameras, or more funding for the police department.

On Wednesday, residents got a chance to get up close with law enforcement at the Fort Pierce Police Department's 6th annual Unity in Our Community event.

"It's great to have something like this in the community, so we can find out what's happening and share the information with other people," said Ruth Gardner.

More than 20 kids from Gardner's summer reading program watched a K-9 demonstration from Fort Pierce Police.

As face painted kids hopped from table to table at the Fort Pierce Recreation Center, located at 903 South 21st St., it was a scene far different from what the city had been experiencing recently.

City Manager Nick Mimms Unity in Our Community event July 17 2024.png — City Manager Nick Mimms said the city is embarking on what it’s calling a new peace and safety initiative.

Back in late May, there were eight shootings in the city’s northwest in less than a month's time.

Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney told WPTV the unity event allows the community to interact with officers in a different setting, and to let residents know they are here to do more than just arrest people.

“We are here for the community,” said Hobley-Burney. “We are involved in so many things because we want them to understand police work involves helping them get the resources, they need to be successful.”

Joann Brunson knows what it's like to be touched by gun violence. Her grandson, Vontreaz Banner, 16, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting last summer just outside city limits as he went to the mailbox.

No one has been arrested for the deadly shooting. Still, Brunson is encouraged by this turnout.

"Events like this, community, the pastors, the leaders of this community get involved and be a part of these children's lives," she said.

Joann Brunson Unit in Our Community Fort Pierce July 17 2024.png — Joann Brunson lost her grandson to gun violence but says events like this are good for the community.

The city is recovering from a rash of shootings in late Spring. However, Brunson said crime in the area has declined.

"Often times the narrative is that Fort Pierce is a dangerous city,” Brunson said. "But if you look at the numbers, violent incidents over the past three years have been slowly declining."

Crime data acquired by WPTV Chief Investigative Reporter Jamie Ostroff showed that while the murder rate is up in the city, overall violent crime has not seen a dramatic increase.

In 2022, there were 142 incidents of violent crime, defined as aggravated assault, battery and murder.

That number was 127 in 2023 and was 49 through late May of this year.

Fort Pierce Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney Unity in Our Community event July 17 2024.png — Fort Pierce Police Chief Diane Hobley-Burney told WPTV the unity event allows the community to interact with officers in a different setting.

City Manager Nick Mimms said the city is embarking on what it’s calling a “new peace and safety initiative," because law enforcement can’t improve the community by themselves.

Mimms said this effort will involve a number of issues.

“Violence interruption, conflict mediation, behavioral change,” said Mimms. “We also want to get into the families and give parents assistance and let them know of resources currently available to them.”

Mimms said the initiative is fluid based on future funding and will also rely on creating lasting partnerships with the school district and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

He hopes it's up and running by next summer and that it's a commitment to a way of life, to improve the quality of life in the city.