“What’s the Issue?” Gun violence forum held to answer that question
Ideas were shared — but will they be implemented? And how?
TOLEDO, Ohio — Increased acts of gun violence aren’t anything new to Toledo. But what’s the issue? What, on Saturday, resulted in three — arguably avoidable — deaths? Well, to answer that question, a forum was held Tuesday night at Scott High School.
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, gubernatorial candidate Nan Whaley (D), a recent high school graduate, and community advocate gathered on a panel, hosted by Toledo City Councilman Nick Komives and the Lucas County Young Democrats, to discuss their thoughts on the matter.
Whaley talked of her biggest concerns, one being two bills signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine. One of which went into effect today, allowing teachers to be armed in the classroom — if districts opt into it — and another being the concealed carry law, which went into effect on June 13th.
The city of Toledo’s interrupter program, renamed to more accurately reflect the role of the program’s members, is set to be fully-operational, with an expansion to east Toledo set for next month. The program was once known as the “violence interrupter” program, but that’s not all these individuals will be doing. As I reported when the program expanded into the Lagrange Street corridor, the program’s members will also be helping with blight, building community, as well as connecting people to jobs and education.
Mayor Kapszukiewicz says that policing and jails are an important part of any society, but those things come last. He adds that prevention needs to be made a big part of the equation to solving this issue, as well as pouring resources into neighborhoods.
“The process of selecting a new chief and talking about what the department will look like going forward is another opportunity to build trust and I know that we will do that — and do it well,” said an optimistic Kapszukiewicz.
One woman in attendance of tonight’s forum had brought-up the often overlooked escalation to gun violence: domestic violence. She says that one concern, for her, has been how police officers respond to these kinds of calls.
“I’m a domestic violence, sexual assault, child victims adovcate. My role is to help anybody that’s having any issues with those crimes,” said Rochelle S. Morrishaw, founder & CEO of the organization Women Helping Encouraging Women. “Domestic violence is real and it’s getting worse in our community, and we really need people to put a serious eye on it.”
Councilman Komives, who organized the event, is just happy to be having these conversations and hopes to continue hearing perspectives from right here at home.
“I wanted to provide an opportunity for people to meet the people who are making decisions on their behalf, and really hear from them on specific issues. And then thirdly, I really wanted to connect people to the work that’s being done,” Komives said.
One of those people is Breion Williams, a recent high school graduate.
“I feel like always hearing a young person’s perspective, especially us coming up and being the adults of the future generation, will always help improve the community and improve the state as a whole,” Williams expressed.
While this was, in fact, a partisan event, that does not negate the fact of gun violence being a bipartisan issue — one we’re all being forced to reckon with right now, or will at some point.
