By Clifford L. Williams
Photo by Z'ma Wyatt

City and county leaders and violence prevention experts throughout the Bay Area recently participated in a daylong conference at the Youth Uprising Academy in Oakland. The conference, sponsored by the Oakland Prevention Institute, featured workshops about achieving and sustaining effective violence prevention strategies.

   The timely workshops were designed to forge regional collaboration in support of local violence prevention efforts, share models and effective practices, and expand networks to help stem the flow of violence in the Bay Area.
    Each workshop included panelists who discussed neighborhood approaches to violence prevention, reentry programs, interdisciplinary approaches to family violence intervention, youth leadership and data and evaluation.
    Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia and Richmond City Manager Bill Lindsay held a press conference during a break in the workshops to address the recent surge of violence in Richmond, and what resources are being provided to assist residents.
   “We are aware that residents are experiencing trauma, stress and anxiety as a result of the recent violence,” said Gioia. “The county has established, through our Mental Health Division, some opportunities for residents to come in for services.
   “We have heard stories of young people being exposed to violence. Any young person and their families can drop in to our West County Children’s Center on 4lst and Macdonald avenues for crisis and mental health services. The county also has a 24- hour mental health hotline where licensed mental health professionals will be available to respond to any crisis issues.
    “Violence has also affected students and families at elementary schools,” said Gioia. “The school district and county are working on a briefing for parents to teach them how to recognize signs of post-traumatic stress so they can then help their children and get services from the county and school district.
   “From a law enforcement standpoint, the Sheriff’s Department is working closely with the Richmond police by providing additional air and ground support, and sheriff deputies working under the direction of the Richmond Police Department. They will also be providing extra forensic and criminal scientific data support to help solve crimes.”
    Lindsay noted that the recent violence is a problem that will take a collaborative effort from various agencies to resolve. “Violence prevention will not only involve city, county and state resources,” he said, “it will also include other facets like crime prevention, intervention and enforcement.
   “A common thread in all of this is the involvement of the community. That is really a key factor to ensure our strategies are effective. We are continuing to meet with community residents, businesses and groups to promote neighborhood involvement to help improve residents’ safety,” said Lindsay.
    “One thing that is critical is that we need police officers, so we are very much involved in an aggressive recruitment campaign to get more officers on patrol.
    “Violence reduction is our number one priority in the city,” he said. “To that end, we are establishing an Office of Neighborhood Safety that will coordinate activities among different departments in the city to help stem violence in Richmond.”
    To reach the West County Children’s Center, call (510) 260-5588. The number for the county’s 24-hour mental health hotline is (888) 678-7277.

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