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'Violence Reduction Action Summit' highlights challenges, solutions in addressing Louisville's violence

Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods facilitated group discussions with citizens and community leaders.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — "Tonight is about solutions, tonight is about action," Mayor Craig Greenberg said to a crowded room of around 100 people at the Muhammad Ali Center Tuesday.

Louisville's first "Violence Reduction Action Summit" allowed for community leaders and residents concerned with violence to collaborate with each other, the mayor and the Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN).

 "We are going to make sure that the folks who are living with the threats of violence in our community know that we are listening and responding," Greenberg said. 

Folks were separated into four separate discussion groups.

First, they identified challenges in working with local government.

In the discussion group WHAS11 sat in on, Aleche Redmond with Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope in New Albany said, "We have people in the place to make changes or effect change but they can't relate to the communities in which they need to change. "

LeeVaughn Morris, an OSHN Outreach case manager, noted there's a problem with understanding on both sides of the conversation.

"People in the community don't have the patience," he said, "Or have a lack of understanding of what is going on." 

Some said legislation takes too long, others said it's not long enough for public input. 

At one point, Mike Becker from Okolona interjected, saying he "thought we were here to talk about violence."

The speaker facilitating the conversation responded, "Right now one of the problems people might have is they have a program, and they think their program could be the solution to the violence, but they are not able to get in touch with the right person."

The group found big issues with elected officials and community leaders staying accountable, and having open and understandable communication.

As Greenberg entered the room, they shifted focus to solutions. 

One person said non-profits and community leaders need to work together, rather than in silos, to address concerns in their communities themselves before going to the local government for help.

Youth violence took up a large part of the conversation -- how it is started and how to address it.    

Michael Springer with YouthBuild Louisville expressed that thinking could be counter-productive. 

"If you aim all of your attention at the young people in this community, you are creating a generation that is over-criminalized," he said. "[They] will not trust anybody at this table."

In the end, all groups returned to the same room to share their ideas.

One speaker, Michael Ballard, called out the mayor for going against the program.

"I attempted to speak to you and you cut it off," Ballard said to the mayor. "That ain't connection, that is exactly what we are talking about." 

Greenberg later apologized to him.

"Sir, I apologize if I cut you off earlier as this was starting. I will come out and meet with you again at Victory Park and listen to you, your colleagues and everyone because that is very important. That is what tonight is about," he said.

The mayor's office and OSHN will review the challenges and solutions shared by each group and meet again in March.

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