LA TIMES OP-ED BY DAVID KENNEDY: ANOTHER KIND OF GUN CONTROL

In an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times, National Network's David Kennedy writes that the current gun control debate is missing the point where most of the nation's gun crime is concerned, but that ready-to-hand approaches are available.

Instead of contentious legislation, Kennedy argues, the nation must focus police and social services on 'hot' groups and places. Read more as Kennedy lays out the National Network's position on innovative - and, most importantly, effective - approaches to reducing violent crime.

NEW ORLEANS LAW ENFORCEMENT INDICTS STREET CREW MEMBERS

One element of the National Network's violence reduction strategy is direct warnings to violent groups that continued violence will be met with focused law enforcement attention. In New Orleans, the local, state and federal Multi-Agency Gang Unit established to keep this promise announced today "the most sweeping street gang indictment" in state history. Fifteen members of a street crew called the "110ers" are charged with 51 counts and involvement in 10 homicides, including the street shooting last May of five-year-old Brianna Allen.

CNN SITUATION ROOM SHOWS NATIONAL NETWORK APPROACH IN ACTION

On CNN last week, The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer showed how the Syracuse Truce program is using the National Network approach to make its neighborhoods safer from gun violence. Syracuse does not offer deals to violent gang members. Instead, the city has forged a powerful partnership between community members, law enforcement, and social service providers to stage interventions and tell these men that the violence must stop.