A Roadmap to Reducing Community Violence

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All communities in Washington should be able to feel safe, valued, and have clear pathways to opportunities that include high rates of personal, communal, and environmental health and eliminate the underlying disparities in safety and health that impact underrepresented communities. These disparities exist because many communities of color have experienced a long history of trauma through institutional and systemic racism. This history of discrimination has resulted in disparities in access to employment, housing, education, and other opportunities that communities need for their safety, health, and well-being. The legacy of this discrimination has disproportionately impacted young men of color and particularly Black men. These impacts affect the men as well as their families and communities. 

Cities United is a connector, a facilitator, and an incubator of meaningful long-term change. They are building a movement of cities, community organizations, public safety advocates, and young leaders to create safe, healthy, and hopeful communities. Since 2011, Cities United has been a leader in advocating for holistic approaches to gun violence. In 2018, they published A Strategic Resource for Mayors on Disrupting Community Violence and Preventing Homicides; extensive research along with lessons from cities across the country has surfaced the following core elements of a comprehensive, public health approach to reducing community violence. They provided detailed recommendations under each intervention area with examples from across the country.

• Engage youth, family, and community 
• Bolster family support
• Boost education
• Expand trauma-informed practice
• Build an inclusive economy
• Interrupt the cycle of community violence
• Reshape criminal and juvenile justice systems

This resource outlines a roadmap to reducing community violence that mobilizes all corners of the community and addresses both the program and policy interventions needed to help us change outcomes, save lives and make sure all our communities are safe, healthy, and hopeful. Community-based violence intervention and prevention services. Supporting safe communities that are free of fear and where family and social bonds are strong.