On July 10, 2024 County Executive Dow Constantine joined Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and community leaders to launch 100 Days of Action against gun violence. This initiative, which comes as the U.S. surgeon general declared gun violence a national public health crisis, will expand community resources and promote safe gun storage.
King County is investing $1.6 million over the next 100 days, including $1 million to expand community-led violence intervention programs and $250,000 to support victims and families impacted by gun violence through the Harborview Medical Center hospital-based intervention program.
“Gun violence is a public health crisis that demands urgent action,” said Executive Dow Constantine. “This 100-day, intensive initiative to confront gun violence will expand vital community resources and intervention programs to pave the way for lasting change."
Today’s launch is bolstered by Mayor Harrell’s recently announced investments in youth mental health and safety. This includes $10 million in funding for a coordinated approach to youth mental health and safety resources for students and families, of which $2.4 million will be allocated to expand access to telehealth services and $2 million for violence prevention, intervention and interruption services.
“There have been too many instances of gun violence in and around our schools and throughout our city. Keeping our young people, families and community members safe requires regional alignment and bold action from everyone. The city cannot solve this issue alone, but we are committed to convening partnerships and leveraging our resources to make sustainable progress,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell.
“Together, with the County and our community partners, our 100 days of action will help us deliver on calls for action from our students, educators, parents and community members, not just for the summer, but this upcoming school year and beyond.”
None of this is going to work. The Seattle Police Department has mostly disbanded their gang unit for lack of officers to staff it. We all see the results as bullets fly between different criminal organizations over turf, whether between competing pimps or drug dealers.
ReplyDeleteOur area cannot hire police officers because a large fraction of the citizenry have proven themselves to be anti-police. It's framed as a Seattle problem but Shoreline has much of the same attitude. Until we quit demonizing good officers and make this a place where they feel welcome, we should get used to neighborhood shootings, drivers doing 60 mph on arterials, and a never ending parade of smash and grab attacks.
You are absolutely right. Until the powers that be quit tip toeing around the white elephant in the room Seattle will continue to devolve into a crime and drug haven.
DeleteWaste of money. City leaders were very late to change attitudes around law enforcement and still resist putting law enforcement resources in schools where they develop the ever important relationships and build trust with the youth and community. Also city leaders need to be honest with the gang problems in Seattle. Be honest with single parent homes being a major factor youth crime and gun culture.
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