Published July 1, 2010

After publicly shaming suspected gang members — and causing a small outcry over constitutional rights — the city is trying a different tactic to reduce violence: reaching out.

The Globe’s Maria Cramer reports on a new program called Boston PACT, which sounds a lot like the Rev. Jeffrey Brown’s TenPoint Coalition or the Boston Foundation’s StreetSafe program but with broader government backing. (No word on how the program will be funded, though.)

The program would target the city’s 200 or 300 most violent offenders and try to help them, their families and their neighborhoods. Troubled families would get priority access to social services. A drug pusher’s little brother could get help enrolling for summer camp. A brave soul who tries to leave a gang could get help relocating for his protection.

It’s an ambitious, if not unique idea for Boston.

Now, will they take down those fliers?