In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." It's a mandate that people of good will have been trying to live in the face of mounting violence across Pittsburgh.

This week, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl called upon churches in the city's most troubled neighborhoods to join the new Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime. He doesn't want church members to limit their peacemaking role to praying for shooting victims after the fact. The mayor is asking congregants, like other Pittsburghers, to work with the Police Bureau in identifying gang members and their activities.

Young criminals who have had their run of these communities call any such cooperation between police and the public "snitching." Church members should call it what it really is -- "loving thy neighbor."

PIRC's goal is to reach the estimated 500 to 1,000 young toughs who are wreaking havoc in various neighborhoods. Police want help in mapping out their networks and understanding local gang hierarchies. Most of the violent perpetrators have shown little interest in being redeemed by honest work or civilized behavior.

Because of them, Pittsburgh is on track toward having its highest number of murders since record-setting 1993, a tragic statistic rooted in citizen silence. Criminals assume their neighbors and relatives won't "snitch" on them, but this is no longer a safe bet.

An increasing number of churches are encouraging members to cooperate with police and break the destructive code of silence. Many are heeding the call, though some pastors express legitimate concerns about their need to keep some confidences private.

There are no statistics on the effectiveness of the campaign, which is based on an anti-crime program in Boston. But once-untouchable troublemakers have reason to be afraid. When the churches get on board, criminals will have trouble finding safe havens.

The Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime may be the answer to a prayer. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall love their neighbors enough to call police with a lifesaving tip.