Columbia violence prevention consultant breaks down ongoing work
Sutton Parker
COLUMBIA MO. (KMIZ)
The National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform provided updates on the progress of the ongoing work to prevent violence around the City of Columbia.
The group was contracted in early January to explore ways the city can curb violent crime.
Since the NICJRs contract started the group has been working on 2 reports. Each of which are designed to look into prevention and intervention strategies the city can take.
The “Gun Violence Analysis” report explores fatal and non-fatal shootings in an attempt to find the drivers of gun violence around the city.
Shantay Jackson, the Director of the National Offices of Violence Prevention Network says that this report is trying to help the city figure out what stratigies they can use to help lower gun violence.
“At the end of the day, the report will help determine what evidence informed model the city should employ to continue to reduce violence,” She said.
The report is currently in the beginning stage while the institute waits on data from local law enforcement agencies regarding crime.
“We are waiting on some approvals from your law enforcement agencies here locally in regard to sharing data so that we can begin that work,” She said.
Once that data is shared with the NICJR says it could take them up to 6 months to review it.
The “Community Violence Landscape Analysis” report will look at how community and city based organizations can better help with the reduction of violence.
Jackson said their goal is to help the city identify what is already working and what the city can improve on.
“We can help you all determine where there are strengths in what we call community violence intervention ecosystem so you can build out the right support for those at the highest risk.” she said.
As for when this report will be complete, Jackson said it should be done in the next few months.
“Typically those reports take anywhere from 5-6 months in order to complete so we are looking forward to coming back here at the end of August or early September to share those public findings out.” She said.
After both reports are finished the institute plans to deploy a multi-year plan that incorporates all of the research in an effort boost violence reduction and intervention.