The sharing of responsibility for public safety by police with community, social service agencies, and violence interrupter organizations, as coordinated by strong clergy leadership, continues to contribute toward historic declines and lows in crimes and criminal activity within the boundaries of the 67th Precinct. The 67th Precinct Clergy Council (GodSquad) serves as the liaison between the police, community, and congregations, to promote healthy neighborhoods while minimizing crime and reviving activism within our churches. The membership is composed of clergy, local pastors, associate pastors, ministers, elders, and evangelists. It focuses on lessening neighborhood tensions and the burdens on government, combating community deterioration and juvenile delinquency, and further supporting police officers, community, and houses of worship. Since 2010, with the full cooperation of the 67th Precinct, the Clergy Council has been a valued partner in the fight against senseless gun violence. The Clergy Council has responded to numerous calls concerning gunshot victims and their families with hospital visits, counseling sessions, prayer vigils, community walks, gun violence forums, and funeral services. We have the full support of the New York Police Department (NYPD), community members, support services, law enforcement, and religious leaders. With 70 member churches and our solid and esteemed board of directors, the Clergy Council was strongly positioned to make a great impact this year in the community that we love, serve, and cherish. The Public Safety Coalition’s plan, in operation since 2017, is designed to implement a collective, comprehensive, community initiative to decrease the involvement of young people in gangs, crimes, and gun violence within the jurisdiction of the 67th Precinct. This plan embodies a holistic approach involving various partners and supporters in our diverse neighborhood, with resources invested by these community partners for the betterment of the entire Brooklyn community.
