After A Night Of Violence, Boston Streetworkers Say They'll Focus On Young People Involved In Gangs

After a night in which shootings around Greater Boston left five people dead, including three in Boston, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is again pleading for an end to gun violence.

In Boston Thursday afternoon and evening, extra workers with the city's streetworker program will fan out to respond to the shootings. About 15 typically work in the Mattapan and Roxbury areas.

WBUR's All Things Considered host Deborah Becker spoke with one of those street workers, Masika Gadson, who is based in Mattapan, and to her supervisor, Shawn Webb. Both work for the Boston Centers for Youth and Families.

Webb said they'll focus on reaching out to young people involved with gangs — even though police haven't said whether the shootings are gang related.