Gun Violence Update
What we want: For an evidence-based gun violence reduction strategy to be implemented in Columbia.
In 2021, gun violence incidents (where someone is hit by a bullet) were up by 29% in Columbia. We want to see Columbia implement an evidence-based solution that will address gun violence at the root and before shots are fired.
We have identified the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) strategy as a solution to this problem. This is a strategy of the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) out of John Jay College in New York that has been proven to reduce gun violence by over half even during the pandemic. In New Haven, CT: in early February of 2021 there were 7 homicides, and at the same time in 2022 they had 0 homicides.
Although Columbia has some programs that have similarities to GVI, key components are missing including the focus on dynamics within and between the groups that are committing most of the violence.
The first step for GVI and for many gun violence reduction strategies is to conduct a comprehensive problem analysis by outside experts to have a clear assessment of where the violence is happening, why, and what are the dynamics in place. This will then indicate where law enforcement, social services, and community voices can most effectively focus their resources to drive the number of shootings to 0.
The cost for a contract with the NNSC for GVI implementation is $400,000 over two years and the problem analysis is included (would be about $50,000). This is just a drop in the bucket from the City of Columbia’s budget of $483 million and when the City is receiving over $25 million more in American Rescue Plan funds.
