Show-Me State Times

On May 22, 2024, staff from the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), a division of the Department of Public Safety, will join other members of the National Offices of Violence Prevention Network (NOVPN) in an event hosted by the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The focus will be on community violence intervention and collaborative efforts to build an ecosystem of Offices of Violence Prevention aimed at enhancing community safety.

OVPs, also known as offices of neighborhood safety and other names, operate on the premise that community safety should not solely rely on policing and the criminal justice system. These offices address public safety through a public health perspective, emphasizing community-based strategies to intervene in or prevent violence among those at highest risk of gun violence.

Established in July 2022 under Mayor Tishaura Jones' leadership, St. Louis' OVP aims to create safe neighborhoods through community-centered approaches. Led by Wilford Pinkney Jr., the office focuses on community violence interventions, youth diversion programs, and alternative response strategies within a comprehensive public health framework.

Numerous local and state governments have recently established OVPs in response to nationwide surges in violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting this trend, President Biden established the first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention in September 2023 to reduce gun violence and expand key executive and legislative actions aimed at saving lives. The White House event marks a significant step in President Biden's commitment to ending gun violence.

"The historic investment in Community Violence Intervention has allowed our office to build a comprehensive violence reduction infrastructure that addresses the root causes of gun violence in a holistic way that cannot be accomplished by law enforcement and local government alone," said Wilford Pinkney Jr., Director of the Office of Violence Prevention.

"The NOVPN team is excited to have Network members from across the country join us at the White House in this first-of-its-kind discussion in our nation's history," said NOVPN Director Shantay Jackson. "These leaders are at the forefront of their local jurisdictions, working tirelessly with their communities and partner agencies in reducing gun violence. As we head into the summer months, this conversation is necessary, timely, and invaluable."

About NOVPN

The National Offices of Violence Prevention Network (NOVPN) is a pioneering learning community aimed at significantly increasing the expertise and effectiveness of offices of violence prevention and similar agencies. NOVPN hosts virtual and in-person convenings; provides training on violence reduction practices; coordinates cross-OVP learning exchanges; offers leadership development; and builds OVP capacity in data collection, fund development, and media relations.

NOVPN also supports creating new OVPs in interested jurisdictions and partners with the White House's National Office of Gun Violence Prevention to facilitate access to these offices. Established initially with 21 members in 2021, NOVPN has grown to nearly 60 members, including multiple state-level offices launched with its support. For more information, visit ovpnetwork.org. The NOVPN is a strategic initiative of the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR). To learn more about NICJR, visit nicjr.org.

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