Hartford community group hosts public safety summit

The North Hartford Public Safety Coalition aims to address gun violence and improve police accountability

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:38am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the gun violence crisis in Hartford.A community-led summit in Hartford seeks to address the city's ongoing gun violence crisis through coordinated, grassroots solutions.Hartford Today

The North Hartford Public Safety Coalition is hosting a public safety summit on Thursday, April 11, 2026 at the Phillips Health Center on Main Street in Hartford. The event will bring together residents, clergy, community leaders, and organizations to respond to recent violent incidents in the city and begin developing a more coordinated, community-led safety plan. The summit will feature panel discussions, breakout sessions, and the establishment of a summer 2026 community safety plan based on resident input.

Why it matters

Hartford has struggled with high rates of gun violence, and this summit represents a community-driven effort to address the issue and hold authorities accountable. By engaging a wide range of stakeholders, the coalition aims to develop sustainable, grassroots solutions to improve public safety.

The details

The North Hartford Public Safety Coalition is a new group working to reduce violence, promote police reform, and advocate for better crisis response in the city. The summit will start with a healing-focused sound experience, followed by panel discussions on community violence intervention, youth engagement, and trauma response. Attendees will then split into groups to discuss topics like youth programs, mental health support, and neighborhood safety. This input will shape a summer 2026 community safety plan.

  • The summit is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, 2026 from 5:30 - 8 p.m.
  • The summer 2026 community safety plan will be established based on input from the summit.

The players

North Hartford Public Safety Coalition

A community group working to reduce violence, promote police accountability, and develop grassroots public safety solutions in Hartford.

Rev. Al Johnson

Director of Neighborhood Organizing at the Center for Leadership and Justice and a leader with the North Hartford Public Safety Coalition.

Phillips Health Center

The venue hosting the North Hartford Public Safety Summit in Hartford.

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What they’re saying

“When our community organizes, our voices can lead to real outcomes.”

— Rev. Al Johnson, Director of Neighborhood Organizing, Center for Leadership and Justice

“Now, we must move from pressure to power by building the systems, relationships and strategies that create lasting safety in our neighborhoods.”

— Rev. Al Johnson, Director of Neighborhood Organizing, Center for Leadership and Justice

What’s next

The North Hartford Public Safety Coalition will use the input from the summit to establish a summer 2026 community safety plan that aims to address gun violence and improve police accountability in the city.

The takeaway

This summit represents a grassroots effort by the North Hartford community to take ownership of public safety issues and develop sustainable solutions. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the coalition hopes to shift the focus from short-term pressure to long-term power and systemic change.