Senator Klein & NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Host 3rd Annual SUV Stakeholder Reception

Senator Jeff Klein and Jacobi celebrated the success of the Stand Up to Violence program at a stakeholder reception on April 11 and the announcement of $700,000 in funding secured by Senator Klein in this year’s budget. Christopher Mastromano, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals and Jacobi Hospital, made opening remarks.

The event also honored five individuals whose contributions to the program have helped lead the way on reducing gun violence, including Reverend Dr. Sydney Hargrave, Assistant Chief Fausto Pichardo, Norma Saunders, Officer Jason Soto, Reverend Rabbi Dr. Keith Elijah Thompson.

“The SUV program has had an incredible impact on reducing gun violence in The Bronx. This innovative model has been able to get at the core of where violence comes from and put a preemptive stop to it. I’m proud that I’ve been able to continue to secure the funding needed to continue this program so that we can see further reductions in the future,” said Senator Klein.

“Whether it is a GSW, stabbing, or some other type of assault, Jacobi treats 470 victims of violence every year. That’s more than one, every single day,” says CEO Chris Mastromano. “But through intervention and defusing conflict, our hospital-based program is mitigating the public health crisis that violence has become in our communities.”

The program includes a team of 10 professionals who work together to reduce violence in Bronx communities. Since the start of SUV, gun violence has reduced dramatically in precincts where it has been introduced:

●       43rd Precinct – 42 percent decrease.

●       49th Precinct – 57 percent decrease.

●       47th Precinct – 52 percent decrease.

Above - A group photo of Senator Klein, Pastor Jay Gooding, police officers from the local precincts, and Inspector Griffin of Bronx Borough Command.

Below - Senator Klein address the audience on how important this program is.

Above - Jacobi Hospital CEO Chris Mastromano tells about the decrease in gun shot wounds, but now the increase in stab wounds the hospital is getting.

Below - SUV workers Tokyo and Shariff are on each end with Pastor Gooding and Rabbi Thompson next in, followed by SUV director Erika Mendelsohn and her assistant Drommo.