DESCRIBE THE COMMUNITY'S VISION
"Safe streets", "Violence-free neighborhoods", "People caring about one another"
STATE THE MISSION- EXAMPLES INCLUDE
- "To reduce the number of violent incidents in the community, especially involving firearms and other weapons, through a major emphasis on prevention."
- "To develop a safe and healthy neighborhood through collaborative planning, community action, and policy advocacy."
- "To reduce violence and promote safety through a comprehensive and coordinated approach to prevention."
- "To serve as a catalyst for bringing peace to our neighborhoods."
STATE THE OBJECTIVES-EXAMPLES
- By 2005, the incidence of reported violent acts in our community will be reduced by 35%.
- By 2005, the incidence of homicides among 15-24 year-olds in our community will be reduced by 40%.
- By 2006, the incidence of reported child abuse and neglect in our community will be reduced by 35%.
- By 2007, the incidence of nonfatal assaultive violence (i.e., assault with or without a weapon, rape, robbery) in our community will be reduced by 30%.
IDENTIFY THE STRATEGIES OF THE GROUP
- Use the media to promote public awareness of the impact of violence on neighborhood safety and help establish prevention as a major community focus.
- Build a successful community coalition that involves all relevant sectors of the community to address violence in the community.
- Enhance grassroots involvement in prevention efforts.
- Promote coordination and integration of existing services and resources for preventing violence.
- Advocate for changes in programs and policies related to violence and its prevention.
PROVIDE AN ACTION PLAN (EXAMPLE FOR ONE SYSTEMS CHANGE IN THE SCHOOL SECTOR)
Community Change to be sought: By 2002, the local school district will provide skill training in conflict resolution for neighborhood youth, ages 6-18.
Actions to be completed:
By September 2001, a newly established public schools subcommittee will collect information on the incidence of assaultive violence in and around the school system.
- By whom? Staff, committee members
- By when? September 2001
- Resources and support needed/available? Committee members and others who wish to facilitate program development (school superintendent, teachers, parents and students)
- Potential barriers/resistance? School system may not have incidence information or may not want it published if they do have it.
- Communications? City council, general public
By October 2001, the public schools subcommittee will meet with school officials to present a summary of the information collected and propose the establishment of a conflict resolution skills training program.
- By whom? Staff, committee members
- By when? October 2001
- Resources and support needed/available? Committee members, parents and students
- Potential barriers/resistance? None anticipated
- Communications? City council, general public
By November 2001, the subcommittee will negotiate commitment for a specific skills training program
- By whom? Staff, committee member
- By when? November 2001
- Resources and support needed/available? Committee members and others involved in program development, additional funding may be needed
- Potential barriers/resistance? School systems employees may feel they have too much to do already, school officials may feel financial cost of program is taking away from already strained resources
- Communications? City council, general public
By February 2002, the school system will implement the skills training program, and periodically report the levels of violence in the school system
- By whom? Staff, committee members
- By when? February 2002
- Resources and support needed/available? Committee members, those implementing the training program, parents and youth
- Potential barriers/resistance?
- Communications? City council, general public