This is preventable. Everyone in #DC deserves to be safe from gun violence. We know what has worked to drastically reduce homicides in other cities. Let’s really #KeepDCAlive @MayorBowser @councilofdc
It’s time we implement a #VisionZero for gun violence prevention: a specific plan with measurable goals. Why do we have a #VisionZero to prevent pedestrian & cyclist deaths [27 fatalities total in 2019], but not for gun deaths [135 gun homicides total in 2019.
We need to fund & hire a Gun Violence "czar" to coordinate efforts across all agencies. DC has a Night Life Czar to cut through red tape for the restaurant & nightlife entertainment industry, but we don’t have a GVP Czar to cut through red tape on gun violence prevention?
We must expand funding for @ONSEDC_ & @AGKarlRacine Cure the Streets programs. Violence interruptors & ONSE’s Pathways Program are essential. Employers & social services must help too so our most at-risk community members will put down their guns & live healthy lives.
We must increase trauma & mental health services especially for our youth & for all gun violence survivors. Hurt people hurt people. We must break this cycle, teach conflict resolution, support restorative justice & wrap our arms around our most vulnerable.
Speaking if youth, we must fund a boots on the ground Safe Passage program to ensure our city's youth can commute to and from school safely, similar to Chicago's Safe Passage program: cps.edu/Pages/safepass…
How come majority of gunshot victims are located in Wards 7+8, but all the hospitals capable of treating gunshot victims are located 30+ minute drive to NW/NE DC or MD? When are we going to re-establish a medical facility east of the river capable of stabilizing gunshot victims?
This solutions are attainable and guaranteed to save lives. How can our city celebrate a budget surplus, a World Series championship, a WNBA championship, etc etc, & yet still have one of the highest per capita murder rates in the country?
Let’s work together & finally put a stop to this public health crisis. Let’s #KeepDCAlive. Have you had #Enough? Here are 3 ways to help: (1) contact your Councilmember & your ANC rep & let them know your concerns & suggestions (see tweets above 👆),
(2) text READY to 644-33 to join DC @MomsDemand. Not just for moms! All welcome!, & (3) donate to the many non-profits working in the community every damn day to de-escalate violence, wrap their arms around those dealing with trauma, & address the myriad of root cause issues:
