IMPACT GNV: City of Gainesville’s new engagement strategy to reduce gun violence
Press release from City of Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The City of Gainesville is launching a community-based engagement strategy called IMPACT GNV as the next step in city-wide efforts to prevent gun violence. The new initiative will connect neighbors experiencing on-the-ground needs with City and community resources that can help. The goal is to leverage valuable community-wide collaborations to maximize the program’s impact.
IMPACT GNV was developed under the direction of Gainesville City Manager Cynthia W. Curry in accordance with the policy direction set by the Gainesville City Commission. Administered by Community Health Director Brandy Stone and Gun Violence Intervention Program Manager Brittany Coleman, the initiative pulls a number of programs under a unified banner. It also moves quickly to put boots on the ground, working with neighborhoods, schools, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, grassroots advocates, and formerly justice-involved individuals, among other partners.
Anchoring these efforts are two key collaborations designed to extend City efforts into the broader community. To maximize and leverage resources, four staff members of B.O.L.D. (Brave, Overt Leaders of Distinction), previously housed within the Gainesville Police Department, will provide support to gun-violence prevention and intervention efforts. They will serve on special assignment under Gainesville Fire Rescue Chief Joe Dixon in his role as Special Advisor to the City Manager on matters of public health and public safety.
The second collaboration is a partnership with the Willie Mae Stokes Community Center, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that serves the youth of Alachua County, Gainesville, and surrounding communities through community events, outreach, and mentoring programs.
“We are pleased to announce the City is entering a contract that will enable the center, led by Bishop Christopher Stokes, to build a new network of Violence Interrupter Partners,” said City Manager Curry. “With more than two decades engaging young people through community outreach and mentoring programs, Bishop Stokes is uniquely qualified to work with us as we reduce violence through these targeted strategies.”
IMPACT GNV is partially funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Staff will pursue grants to support gun violence prevention and intervention programs.
Improve access to mental health services, social support, and the arts
Mobilize and enhance existing community-based services and groups
Prioritize public health and safety efforts in areas most impacted by gun violence
Analyze gun violence data
Center youth
Track progress
IMPACT GNV efforts underway:
- Engaging stakeholders in Gun Violence Prevention Month in June
- Developing a gun-violence-awareness social media and messaging campaign
- Exploring grant-funding opportunities
- Taking next steps to establish the Community Gun Violence Prevention Alliance approved by the Gainesville City Commission, Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, and Santa Fe College Board of Trustees
- Hosting crisis intervention and de-escalation workshops for community members and health and social service providers in partnership with the Alachua County Crisis Center
B.O.L.D. (Brave, Overt Leaders of Distinction)
The B.O.L.D. program is poised to provide support to gun-violence prevention and intervention efforts, as well as partner with the Gainesville Fire Rescue Community Resource Paramedicine program to work with neighbors to more efficiently facilitate access to healthcare, housing, transportation, and other needs.
Violence Interrupter Partners (VIP)
The Willie Mae Stokes Center will work with the City of Gainesville in the creation of a community network of Violence Interrupter Partners. This network will extend into schools, after-school programs, churches, and groups connected to advocacy for reform of justice-involved individuals. It will create an interconnected framework that utilizes prevention and intervention strategies to interrupt violence and provide for positive and supportive structures and programs across the community.
IMPACT GNV additional program components:
Community Care Callouts (CCC)
This collaboration between Gainesville Fire Rescue, the Gainesville Police Department, and other community agencies will continue building and refining the immediate response solution that has been utilized in neighborhoods including Sweetwater Square and Lincoln Estates. This effort offers support services, trauma-informed outreach, and public safety information in the wake of events that involve gun violence.
One Nation One Project (ONOP)
One Nation One Project is a national initiative, including Gainesville and 17 other U.S. cities, using the arts and culture to promote community healing and well-being. This project unites artists, local governments, and community health providers. In January 2022, the Gainesville City Commission recognized youth gun violence as a local issue of great concern and chose to allocate 2% of Gainesville’s ARPA funds to this effort—almost $650,000. The next major ONOP milestone is the July 27, 2024 National Community Culminating Event, produced by ONOP Artistic Director Marion J. Caffey, Gainesville native and producer of Amateur Night at the Apollo, the longest-running talent competition in American history.
Positive Engagement to Guide Young People
Mirror Image Leadership Academy Gala Co-Presenting Sponsorship – $10,000
The City of Gainesville serves as co-presenting sponsor for the official gala celebrating the graduation of the first cohort of young scholars to complete the three-year program at Mirror Image Leadership Academy (MILA). The ceremony on Thursday, May 16, 2024, marks the success of this leadership discovery experience for incoming seventh graders. Primarily targeting African American students, the academy’s comprehensive curriculum comprises a School Year Academy, an Extended Day After-school Program, and a Summer Academy featuring local, national, and international travel opportunities that in 2023 brought these inaugural scholars on a journey to Ghana. Each year, MILA is committed to expanding young minds through exposure to diverse people, places, and ideas.
P.A.V.E. (People Against Violence Enterprises) – est. $60,000 since 2000
P.A.V.E. is an organization dedicated to paving the way for a more peaceful community for our youth. Founded by Rev. Karl Anderson, a Senior Pastor of Upper Room Ministries, P.A.V.E. was established in August 2000 in response to news reports of violence in the schools. In the nearly 25 years since, the group has hosted many events to promote violence prevention education and mediation. In addition, P.A.V.E. and primary sponsor Meridian Behavioral Healthcare have distributed approximately 50,000 backpacks as part of a communitywide “Back to School” rally promoting student health and safety. Since its inception, the City of Gainesville has annually assisted these efforts with funding support. With recent funding through the American Rescue Plan Act Violence Intervention project in the amount of $20,000, the total level of City support is an estimated $60,000.
“Class of Her Own” Documentary Film Screening
(Co-Sponsored with Alachua County Public Schools)
A critically-acclaimed documentary about a highly innovative teacher from east Gainesville will anchor the Journey to Juneteenth Film Festival at 6 p.m. on Sat., June 8, at the A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center. Brought to Gainesville for a community screening through a partnership between the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and Alachua County Public Schools, “Class of Her Own” tells the story of Duval Elementary teacher Gloria Jean Merriex’s reinvention of her school’s curriculum to draw on the power of hip-hop, dance, and call-and-response to teach reading and math.
Coordination with Federal Gun Violence Prevention Efforts
In September 2023, President Joe Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to implement and expand upon key executive and legislative actions taken to save lives. The Office of Gun Violence Prevention is overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been a key leader in the Biden-Harris Administration’s effort to end our nation’s gun violence epidemic.
- District 3 Commissioner Casey Willits met with staff from the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention on Dec. 1, 2023. The Commissioner shared materials from the City of Gainesville’s Gun Violence Prevention Summit and discussed grant programs.
- Mayor Harvey Ward met with staff from the White House Office of Public Engagement on Feb. 7, 2024 to discuss a number of issues including gun violence.
- Mayor Pro Tem Cynthia Moore Chestnut met with United States Representative Maxwell Frost (D-Orlando), the Vice Chair of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, on March 12, 2024; they discussed gun violence among other issues.
- Government Affairs and Community Relations Director John Alexander and Legislative Affairs Coordinator Dr. Thomas Harrington met with United States Department of Justice staff on March 13, 2024 to discuss gun violence and other funding opportunities.
sounds like a lot of money and good paying jobs for members of ‘the community’. I don’t see much in the way of accountability though, and not a word about the known impact of culture and the activities of drug gangs in Gainesville. This appears to be another sop tossed out to ‘the concerned’ with little or no chance of anything positive coming out of it. Why? Because the core problems and issues have again been skirted.
Can you believe a supposed plan to reduce ‘gun violence’ that doesn’t mention the police, prosecutors or courts/judges ONE SINGLE TIME?
Well to be fair, the whole point of the programs is to prevent gun violence from happening, whereas those are responses after the fact, i.e. “lock em up and throw away the key” (which, incidentally, is very expensive)
But is FAR more effective at reducing crime.
“Under the direction of the city manager…”
Ok, this is already going to be a failed endeavor. It’s essentially a P.R. effort (to attempt) to take the pressure off the city commission.
Rinse. Cycle. Repeat.
All I see are a lot of buzz words and money being spent on stupid things like paying “justice-involved individuals” aka criminals to lecture teens. Meanwhile everyone in city government (and national government) continues to ignore the elephant in the room: Black youth are becoming exceedingly more violent and are carrying and using firearms far more frequently. Until these people face serious consequences and see their peers being sent to prison for decades, nothing will slow the cancerous spread that is “restorative justice.”
BS Detector: well said‼️
Dude, they’re teenagers! They’re bulletproof, mentored by guys who’ve already gone to finishing school in jail, and the guns are cheap and plentiful. What part of that can we do something about?
The part that we can do something about is incarcerating them and keeping them there. No more probation for firearms crimes, violent crimes, etc. First offense – Prison. Nearly all of the shooters, robbers, etc. we read about on here are already on probation, out on bond, etc. from some other weapons offense.
BS, we have not only the highest number of guns than any other developed nation, the highest number of gun deaths – it’s the leading cause of death of our kids – but we also have highest incarceration levels as well.
In short, “been there, done that, it doesn’t work!”.
Next?
You are 100%correct.
Loser’s meeting with Loser’s.City Managers and Commissioner’s can’t quit stealing from GRU Customers and ripping off UF for years. We don’t need a crime cyndacate in charge of Law and Order.
I swear, this time the gun violence prevention efforts (with fancy new initials) will work.
Fighting criminal violence with acronyms has never worked in any lawless culture. “Need more money for them programs” doesn’t work either
“IMPACT GNV is partially funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).”
I’d like to know what all the City idiots are going to do when the well runs dry? I’m guessing Two Face Harvey will make another “taxpayer” funded trip to D.C. to suckle up to the “Big Guy.”
Let me get this straight. So you don’t realize how much the state of Florida gets from the feds through bail outs the Congress passed under both of the last 2 Presidents to boost the covid economy, including the Infrastructure bill Trump wanted but couldn’t get and Biden did. That would be the money that DeSantis and Kat crow about in small town appearances without mentioning where they got it, and of course with the obligatory trashing of the guy who got it for them/us. That’s the same guy by the way who shows up with money every hurricane and condo collapse in our great state. Last one, our Governor hid out and didn’t meet him – it’s a MAGA thing. We wouldn’t understand.
Let me straighten it out more. Every state in the Union, not just Florida has been recipients of millions, if not billions in federal monies.
My issue is Covid is over, it’s past time the Fed stopped being the teats for every little project for every community in America or the world. There’s a reason this country is $34,000,000,000,000+ in debt, and it’s not because Bezos, Gates & Musk aren’t paying taxes.
By the way, how did you ever deal with your employees who didn’t follow your rules?
Tell it to the Governor and Kat because they’re still living high on the handouts without attributing the source.
By the way, the covid money is pretty much done, but not the infrastructure bill Biden passed, which unlike our Governor he did not weaponize with a very percentage of funds going to red rural counties. Infrastructure spending has been long overdue, sought by both parties and even Trump when in office. It is investments, not hand outs like the covid money, and besides new initiatives like rural broadband, will repair ageing infrastructure.
Rules? Employees? Disobedient?
Still waiting.
No reason to meet that lifelong taxpayer dependent leech! That money belongs to the CITIZENS/ TAXPAYERS! Pos46 doesn’t own that money! Without taxpayer funding that good for nothing waste of oxygen would be a regular ole joe, most likely still receiving taxpayer money for being a useless pos!
Yeah, OK dude, most effective president since LBJ and on top of that alleged to be a 1 man crime wave by the low life liar facing 90+ felony charges.
Hey, I’ll have what he’s having.
Most effective at pissing away other peoples income, future generations income all while trying to bankrupt the USA!
Congratulations… typical leftist celebrating a slimy pos in lbj! The only thing that waste of oxygen did well was welfare and we all know what pos johnson expected welfare would buy!
90 indictments all in blue dumps, zero credibility!
No need to type that you would enjoy being a lifelong taxpayer dependent leech! That’s the definition of half your party!
⏳…
“The Office of Gun Violence Prevention is overseen by Vice President Kamala Harris, who has been a key leader in the Biden-Harris Administration’s effort to end our nation’s gun violence epidemic.”
this is a point of pride for the city by having it in the Press Release I guess?
That’s the Cackling Kamel and she loves to spread word salads with extra mayo.
Good eye. They’re using DC key words like Kamala to curry future DC appointments, their own career ladders. They hope. Since they aren’t going to Tallahassee.
Is the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office not involved? Is this a Gainesville only plan?
Gun violence is not a health problem, it is a criminal not getting enough prison time problem. Keep violent criminals IN prison and throw away the key.
Why don’t the city with all this grant money come togather put education centers in our communities, along with an Liasion within these communities to help interact with the people so that we can combat the crimes thru intervention before things happen , there’s people that want better communities but we must here the people in order to resolve many of the issues before they take place , if you all really want results , Mr. Alvin Gaither jr is one that will stand stand in the that Gap to make a serious difference let’s put our money where our mouth is let’s recruit individuals that will take a stand and turn these communities around not in just words but action , we can open up a base in each community instead of putting barricades let’s put some people that means business in there and this senseless killing will stop , remember the old saying by John Maxwell people don’t care how much u know until they know how much u care . I can prove it I have a 501c give it to me and my organization and I’ll put that money where it belong in developing or communities, I’ve been where many of these young men and when have been and I know God has given me the tools and know how on how to reach them , you all keep the money and give it to me as I give it to the community and experience the difference it will make n our justice system and community as a whole . Any organization that is about a serious change my name is branded in the community of Gainesville I want be hard to find email Elderoffaith@yahoo.com operation take back our community
The local woke courts churn out repeat offenders. That’s why we have “gun violence” epidemic. They raise and groom criminals.
The US has the highest incarceration rates, numbers of guns, deaths from guns, deaths by kids from guns, in the world. Your prescription has already failed.
The majority of “ deaths from guns, deaths by kids from guns, in the world” happen in your beloved blue dumps! Blue dumps have failed! Obviously, that’s not news to anyone with a properly functioning brain! Honestly, I’m totally fine with the stupidity/consequences of “vote blue no matter who” coming home to roost for you imbeciles! Reap what you sow! Freedom of choice, no freedom of consequence!🤣
Gun deaths by state 2021:
State, gun deaths per 100k population, gun deaths for year
Data Table
Data table showing data for the United States Map figure.
Mississippi
33.9 962
Louisiana
29.1 1,314
New Mexico
27.8 578
Alabama
26.4 1,315
Wyoming
26.1 155
Alaska
25.2 182
Montana
25.1 280
Arkansas
23.3 698
Missouri
23.2 1,414
Tennessee
22.8 1,569
South Carolina
22.4 1,136
Oklahoma
21.2 836
Kentucky
21.1 947
Georgia
20.3 2,200
Nevada
19.8 633
Indiana
18.4 1,251
Arizona
18.3 1,365
Colorado
17.8 1,064
Kansas
17.3 503
North Carolina
17.3 1,839
West Virginia
17.3 319
North Dakota
16.8 128
Delaware
16.6 158
Ohio
16.5 1,911
Idaho
16.3 309
Those are states genius! Brake the information down into crime centers… the majority if not all are left wing cancer infested blue dumps within weed states!
You lose!
Red states
Oh, look. Another grifter who claims he can turn the community around if only he were given money.
If you’re so great, why haven’t you already solved the problem?
Under the guidance of Curry, Coleman & Stone. Anyone else feel a bit of relief?
All of those little acronyms may sound nice but the problem is this one has been developed under the guidance of incompetent individuals. I guess the City has become so satisfied with substandard results that they’ll accept anything as a “win.”
I’m thinking it won’t prevent more bodies from getting placed in the ground unless the proper actions are made in the home.
This is almost comical- another hopeless brainstorming PR product of the commissioners & figure-heads, to justify their positions. Who also refuse to face the elephant in the room. If they were legit about gun violence they’d start by letting the Cops be real Cops again & put foot-to-ass. Like the Violent Crimes task force GPD used to have. Then the right state attorneys aggressively prosecuting gun crimes. Have the judges in the loop (easier with Jaworski almost out). When the violent offenders start getting hammered & made examples of, THEN we’ll see a difference!
Buuuuut: that all goes against their smoke-and-mirrors game & California-East dreams.
Somewhere a few kids are bad apples and don’t take advantage of opportunities. It spreads into gangs. That’s why it must be reversed early. No more “social promotion” and excusing misbehavior.
Next, we’ll have the police talking about fire safety.
This is a deeply rooted cultural issue. Which large ethnic communities in the world have widespread ownership and easy access to guns, but little to no gun violence?
Find those communities, and you’ll find the answer as to what values need to be encouraged & supported.
Spoiler: A stable home with both parents, who have good paying jobs, a healthy religious faith, trust and respect for police and the justice system, and no drug or alcohol abuse.
Not “ethnic” but Switzerland runs around 30% ownership of adults iirc
How about starting with cleaning out the projects. If you are not on the lease move. If you allow people to reside there, 1 strike and you are out. Patrol these areas on foot. Hire and pay security. There are good people that live there, but like HAMAS it has been infiltrated by THUGS. Hold parents accountable for their children. Why are minors out after midnight, where are the parents?
Thanks, no charge.
Check back in 24 months, see if anyone can account for all the money they took in.
All the guns are stolen out of cars so how about you take your guns out?
Utterly stupid, a waste of money and who’s getting paid!
Just arrest them and out them in jail for a long time.
Impact GNV vs ASO/GPD/8th Circuit task force🤔.. Anything Curry is tied to is bound to be 🐮💩.. So this should be interesting