One Detroit Violence Reduction Partnership to Host Third Annual Peacenics at Heilman Recreation Center and O’Hair Park

DETROIT - More than 70 community organizations and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies will gather at Heilmann Recreation Center on June 15 (Rain Date: June 23) and O’Hair Park on June 29 (Rain Date: June 30) for the third annual Peacenics. The events will run from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day. 

The Peacenics are part of the One Detroit Violence Reduction Partnership, a coalition of community and law enforcement partners working together to develop and execute the best strategies to reduce violent crime. The strategy has three components—enforcement, prevention, and reentry. As part of its Safe Summer Streets initiative, One Detroit will hold its third annual Peacenics in coordination with its enhanced summer enforcement strategy aimed at reducing gun violence in Detroit’s neighborhoods with the highest incidence of violent crime – Detroit’s 8th and 9th Precincts.

The Peacenics are a collective gathering of the community and law enforcement coming together in the name of peace and where residents can have fun, engage with law enforcement, and obtain resources to improve the quality of their lives. The Peacenics will feature vendors offering a variety of resources including job training, literacy programs, mental health and medical screenings, utility assistance, educational and vocational opportunities, tutorial and career development programs, expungement assistance and more. Several law enforcement agencies will be there to engage with the community and recruit to fill vacancies in their organizations. 

In addition to the resources, there will be bounce houses, a petting zoo, face painting, and a free throw tournament for kids. There will also be community basketball and volleyball games. The Detroit Public Library will have their bookmobile on site for kids to enjoy storytelling time.  Adults will be able to join in the fun with Hustle Dance lessons, and a Spades tournament as well as Uno tables.  And back by popular demand will be the Peacenic Thrift Clothing Boutique, where residents can shop for free gently used clothing for all ages. Free food, such as pizza, hot dogs, sliders, and ice cream will also be available for residents at the Peacenics. 

“We are so excited to partner with the City of Detroit and the rest of our One Detroit Partners to bring the Peacenics back to Detroit again this year.  We look forward to this amazing opportunity to have the community and our law enforcement join together to celebrate peace. The Peacenics will have resources to help improve lives as well as plenty of opportunities for fun and community bonding,” said United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

"Peacenics are about connecting with the community. We can't enforce without the community's understanding and buy-in," said Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison. "This is about coming together with our residents in the name of peace, and the city and our partners bringing much-needed resources right into the neighborhoods. We are thankful for the One Detroit partnership, our corporate sponsors and our volunteers who work hard to make these events happen."

Residents are encouraged to register for the events by visiting the following websites:  For the Peacenic at Heilmann:  https://www.eventcreate.com/e/june15peaceniconedetroitprevention.  For the Peacenic at O’Hair Park: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/june29city-of-detroit-host-peacen.

Heilman Recreation Center is located at 19601 Brock Street (9^th Precinct) and O’Hair Park is located at 20253 Stahlian Street, Detroit (8^th Precinct).   Media is welcome to attend the event.  U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison, Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, and Detroit Police Chief James White will be available for interviews at the Heilman Peacenic. Please contact Gina Balaya at the above email address or contact her directly at (313)226-9758 or Corey McIsaac, Deputy Director of Media Relations, City of Detroit at (248) 870-8620 for more information or to schedule an interview.