19 Solutions: City of Akron proposing hospital-based violence intervention program to curb gun violence

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) - Community leaders are coming together to cut down on gun violence in the City of Akron.

They’ve been meeting and having real conversations hoping to come up with a strategic plan.

“Gun violence is a public health crisis,” said Denico Buckley-Knight, City of Akron, Youth & Community Opportunity Director.

Incidents of gun violence are making headlines across Northeast Ohio.

So the City is looking to tackle it head on.

One idea: utilize Akron’s hospitals.

The Mayor’s Office in Akron has been in touch with the trauma staff at 3 of the areas hospitals: Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General and Summa Akron City Hospital.

“What I see as a potential game-changer is having someone that is embedded in the hospitals that isn’t quote on quote, part of the system. Many of the individuals that are involved with gun violence often throughout their life, they are against systems,” said Buckley-Knight.

It’s called: the ‘Youth Violence Intervention & Prevention Strategic Plan.’

The hope is to cut violent crimes committed by people between 13 and 24 by 10-percent in the next 5 years.

“Having someone there that’s a part of the hospital with the life experience of being shot or shooting someone really be able to provide the resources or really dive into an ecosystem to support someone,” said Buckley-Knight.

According to the Ohio Department of Health the number of firearm-related deaths have risen in the last 3 years.

In 2020 1,764 Ohioans died in a firearm-related incident.

In 2021 1,911.

In 2022 there were 1,825 deaths.

This group of leaders is hoping to make an impact that can prevent this rise and instead save lives.

“We’re trying to really strategize around that less than 2% who’s doing 90% of the crimes but not just strategizing but providing resources and support to that individual, the family that he represents, the friends he’s a part of and the community that he’s a part of,” said Buckley-Knight.

The talks are in the early stages but the team hopes to have the next steps to start implementing the plan by the end of the year.

Copyright 2023 WOIO. All rights reserved.