ABC News’ Brad Garrett has talked about gun violence and ways to reduce it, but the missing piece has always been communities’ commitment and law enforcement’s collaboration with them. That’s why he is so impressed with Omaha, Nebraska’s “Omaha 360,” which is a dedicated partnership with 120 or so non-profits, churches, mobile mental health units and law enforcement. Reports show a 50% reduction in the number of people shot between 2009 and 2022 and a homicide clearance rate of 87%.
From its website: Omaha 360 is an initiative of the Empowerment Network in partnership with hundreds of organizations. The Empowerment Network was launched by CEO and Founder Willie Barney in partnership with leaders and residents in 2006.
The Omaha 360 Violence Prevention Collaborative meets every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and between 70-100 participants – community activists, neighborhood residents, educators, law enforcement, pastors and faith leaders, youth development specialists, CEOs of community-based organizations and other concerned citizens – engage every week to continue the work of preventing and reducing gun violence through the collaborative approach.
Other cities – including Chicago, Kansas City and NYC – are looking at adopting the model. Garrett suggests maybe Pensacola start it in one neighborhood (maybe 32505?) Read more on the program here.
