Jan. 16, 2025 e-Newsletter

Welcome to the IMPACT GNV e-newsletter, created to keep you informed on the City of Gainesville's gun violence prevention efforts and the impacts those have.

Quarterly Highlights

City of Gainesville records striking decrease in gun violence in 2024

Closing out 2024, data from the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) shows a striking decrease in gun violence and related gun crime over the course of the calendar year.

Led by Mayor Ward and District 1 Commissioner Desmon Duncan Walker, the Gainesville City Commission has spent two years prioritizing a wide array of gun violence prevention policies. City Manager Cynthia W. Curry and staff have planned and implemented the operational components, including the August 2023 Gun Violence Prevention Summit, the GPD Gun Violence Unit and IMPACT GNV.

A timeline of these efforts is available online.

GPD Gun-Related Statistics*

*The table documents quarterly totals going back to January 2024. It shows across-the-board reductions in homicides, gunfire injuries and number of shots fired.

IMPACT GNV Activities

Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Workshops

In the fight to end gun violence and address community health and wellness, IMPACT GNV and Gainesville Fire Rescue are working to equip our community with

• the skills and training to recognize when someone needs assistance,
• the confidence to provide help and
• the knowledge to connect neighbors to resources.

On Nov. 8, Gainesville Fire Rescue hosted Community Safety Day. Members of the community participated in a combination of Crisis Intervention and De-escalation workshops, Narcan administration and Stop the Bleed classes. These trainings give members of the community an opportunity to learn how to support someone experiencing a mental health crisis, like contemplating suicide, and provide the skills needed to intervene in the event of an overdose or life threatening bleed. To date, we have helped train more than 100 community members in crisis intervention and de-escalation.

Thank you to our partners who make this training possible. 

Upcoming Community Trainings

Mental Health First Aid

Date: Saturday, Jan. 25

Time: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Location: Faith Mission (3701 NE 15th St.)

Lunch is provided.

Community Safety Day

Date: Friday, Feb. 28

Time: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Location: GFR Admin at Catalyst (606 SE Depot Ave.)

Lunch is provided.

Follow GFR's Facebook page to stay updated on registration and information about community engagement. If you would like to bring this training to your community or workplace, please contact Director of Community Health Initiatives Brandy Stone at StoneBL@GainesvilleFL.gov.

B.O.L.D. Program

The B.O.L.D. Program welcomes Tavia Sumpter as its new, part-time staff assistant. Tavia brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in housing advocacy and working with vulnerable populations, and we are excited to welcome her to the team!

The B.O.L.D Program is currently accepting referrals for new clients. Clients of the B.O.L.D. Program work directly with staff to determine and set goals and create a plan to achieve those goals through mentorship, support and case management. It assists individuals in achieving academic success, job readiness, vocational training and skill-building. For more information about the program or to schedule an appointment, please contact Program Director Diamond Smith at smithdg1@GainesvilleFL.gov or 352-334-2441

Willie Mae Stokes Community Center

Community engagement continues to be an important tenet of our work to reduce gun violence. Under the Willie Mae Stokes Community Center, NSpire FL provides a group of trusted messengers who are committed to disrupting violence in the community and engaging youth in areas experiencing high rates of gun violence. 

Violence Interruption Snapshot: July-September 2024

• 25 referrals
• 54 parents contacted
• 58 community service/community outreach hours
• 76 home visits
• 185 contacts in the field
• 300+ hours spent in assigned neighborhoods

Celebrating Peace, Connecting Community

IMPACT GNV’s year-end event brought together over 150 community members to celebrate the collaborative efforts toward ending gun violence in the City of Gainesville. Led by faith leaders across Gainesville, the event featured performances by local artists, 19 different vendors from across the community, as well as multiple city departments, including Human Resources and the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

Over 150 bags of groceries were donated and 50 additional neighbors signed up for the IMPACT GNV newsletter. IMPACT GNV is incredibly grateful for the support, prayers and dedication of our neighbors. Thank you to our partners who made it possible: Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, Gainesville Police Department, Gainesville Fire Rescue, Gainesville Police Athletic League, Willie Mae Stokes Community Center, PAVE, One Community Family Resources Center, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Daniels Catering and many more. 

Reach Out and Connect with Us

Email: colemanbj@gainesvillefl.gov

Telephone: 352-393-8388

Website: www.gainesvillefl.gov/ImpactGNV

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