Operation Ceasefire is a collaborative community program designed to reduce gang violence in our community.  The program originated in Boston in 1996 and was extremely successful.  In its second year, Boston’s Operation Ceasefire resulted in a 70% decrease in gun crimes and homicides.  The program has been replicated successfully in several cities across the nation.  

The problem with gangs in Fort Pierce is significant.  We have identified at least 12 criminal street gangs with over 500 members and associates that are operating within Fort Pierce.  These gangs are involved in crimes that include vandalism, drug dealing, robbery, and murder that are destroying our community.  It is our intent to disable these gangs and create a safer community for our residents.   

Operation Ceasefire starts with a clear agreement across the community:  “Gang violence is destroying our community, and it will not be tolerated.”

Operation Ceasefire provides a clear warning to gang members: “You have a choice to make.  You will either stop the violence that is destroying our community, or you will spend your life in prison.” 

With this warning established… Any violence by a gang member will be met with an immediate and substantial law enforcement response. This response will be aimed at arresting and prosecuting anyone involved directly or associated with the violence.  In this response, we will use all available “levers” to hold gangs accountable for violence undertaken by their members.  

Operation Ceasefire will focus proactive enforcement efforts on gang members with serious and violent criminal histories.  These investigations will be conducted using both state and federal laws, with a single goal - obtaining the maximum prison sentence available for these offenders.  These investigations are already producing results that are making Fort Pierce a safer place for our citizens.  These arrests and convictions will be highly publicized to serve as a reminder of the consequences of ignoring the Operation Ceasefire warning.
 
Operation Ceasefire will focus proactive intervention efforts on gang associates with less serious criminal histories.  We will give them them the choice of turning their lives around or joining their friends in prison.  If they make the right choice, we will help them. 

The department’s JAM (Juvenile Arrest and Monitoring) program will be used to provide enhanced supervision for gang members on community control or probation.  This program has been developed in cooperation with the Department of Juvenile Justice, State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, and our Juvenile Court System.  In this program, officers adopt juvenile offenders assigned to JAM and monitor their compliance with probation conditions day and night.  If the JAM kids fail to follow their probation restrictions, they are arrested for the violation providing immediate consequences and accountability. 

An intervention team made up of officers and community leaders, delivers letters to parents of children that are associated with gang activity.  During these visits, parents are provided with any immediate support and information that they need.  They will also be referred to a team of mentors.

A mentoring team, which is made up of pastors and community leaders, provides counseling and follow-up for parents and children that need assistance in turning away from gangs. 

Get Contact Information for Mentors  

A mediation team made up of volunteers from the community, works in the streets to identify gang conflicts and then mediate these conflicts, before violent confrontations. 

Operation Ceasefire is not a police program… it is a community coalition against gang violence.  Working together, we can create a safer community.  To get involved or get more information, attend a community forum or give us a call at (772) 461-3820 extension 5226 and ask about Operation Ceasefire.  

[ Download the Community Resource Guide ]

Community members can provide information about gang activity by calling 911 in an emergency, calling (772) 461-3820 to speak with a detective, or calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 273-8477 to remain anonymous.
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Additional information is available from:

U.S Department of Justice Evaluation of Operation Ceasefire

National Institute of Justice – Operation Ceasefire Research Report

Harvard University Program Description

Chicago’s Operation Ceasefire