Officials, clergy vow to stem wave of violence in Boston

By Milton J. Valencia, Globe Staff

Public officials gathered with leaders in the black community this morning in a call to action to stem a surge of gun crimes plaguing the city.

“It’s time,” Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray told dozens of community leaders, gathered at Melnea Cass Skating Rink in Roxbury. “We all know there are too many young people dying of gun crime in the Commonwealth.”

Murray added, “You’ve done it before. We need to do it again.”

The leaders of community-based agencies and clergy members will continue to meet in a forum throughout today to discuss ways to combat the violence that has taken over the city, particularly Roxbury and Dorchester. The Bowdoin Street area alone, for instance, has suffered 25 murders since 2010.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino said this morning that the city is working to address the violence: The city is approaching Mattapan, for example, with a host of services through its violence intervention and prevention programs.

But the community leaders, particularly the clergy, the mayor said, must do their part to unite and rid themselves of the disagreements that have divided them in the past.

Clergy members agreed, noting that they have even been criticized by gang members for preaching for peace when they themselves are not getting along. After sitting together for several hours in a reconciliation meeting last week, more than a dozen gathered in front of the crowd this morning to hug each other and announce a “State of Agreement” to work together in the community.

“This gathering depends on one thing, and that is our ability to work together,” said the Rev. Ray Hammond. “You can’t teach what you don’t know, you can’t head where you won’t go.”

Milton J. Valencia can be reached at mvalencia@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @MiltonValencia.