In recent years, many areas across the United States have seen a significant increase in gun violence. Nationally, gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teenagers. While gun violence affects all communities, there are racial and economic disparities that result in disproportionate impacts on communities of color.
To address this issue locally, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the formation of the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention last fall to centralize the coordination of efforts across King County. The Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention, housed within Public Health – Seattle & King County, takes a grass-roots to “grass tops” approach to gun violence by collaborating with community, subject matter experts, and local, state, and federal agencies to tackle gun violence.
The Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention:
- Partners for an aligned and coordinated regional approach to gun violence in King County
- Collaborates with communities most impacted by gun violence, community providers, elders, youth, and survivors to grow and advance equitable community-led solutions
- Expands violence prevention, intervention, and restoration services to underserved areas of King County. This includes Community Violence Intervention (CVI) investments, Hospital-based & Community Linked Intervention in partnership with Harborview Medical Center, and firearm safety resources & equipment in partnership with the King County Lock It Up Program
- Works with municipal partners, subject matter experts, advisory and work groups monthly and quarterly to identify solutions, innovate and enhance strategies, inform policy, review data, secure resources, and raise awareness
- Measures impact through results-based accountability evaluation
A coordinated public health approach to prevent gun violence
The Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention (ROGVP) uses a public health approach to gun violence prevention in King County. This means examining the root causes of gun violence, interrupting situations likely to result in firearm injury and collaborating closely with those most impacted by gun violence with input from professionals specializing in health, education, social services, justice, and policy to promote community-wide safety and healing.
Locally, ROGVP collaborates with multiple cities in King County and the State of Washington’s Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention to align regional efforts, share data, co-invest and identify additional resources for community-led solutions to gun violence and ensure effective implementation of gun violence efforts across King County.
Nationally, ROGVP is part of the National Offices of Violence Prevention Network, which works closely with the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Through collaboration in this network, King County’s ROGVP works with other cities and counties across the country, sharing best practices, receiving technical assistance, and leveraging additional resources to combat gun violence locally.
Supporting community-led solutions
Community violence intervention (CVI) is a core element of a holistic public safety ecosystem, an important strategy to keeping King County safe. The ROGVP supports local community organizations in implementing programs that interrupt cycles of violence.
These organizations employ credible messengers who provide individuals and families impacted by gun violence services and resources that meet their needs, promote personal safety and support healing.
Community violence intervention programs have been implemented in cities and counties nationwide and evaluations have shown promising reductions in gun violence.
The King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention has implemented tailored community violence intervention programs including the Regional Peacekeepers Collective (RPKC) Initiative and the Hospital-based & Community Linked Intervention that supports individuals and families impacted by gun violence in King County. These efforts are aligned with the City of Seattle’s Seattle Community Safety Initiative (SCSI) and supported by the State of Washington Department of Commerce Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention.
Regional Peacekeepers Collective Initiative
The Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention’s Regional Peacekeepers Collective Initiative was launched by Public Health – Seattle & King County in 2021, in response to the significant increase in gun violence during the COVID pandemic. The Regional Peacekeepers Collective consists of Black-led community organizations that provide culturally responsive services including violence interruption to defuse tension and prevent future violence, street outreach to provide a bridge to services, intensive engagement and wrap-around care. Additionally, the organizations host community engagement events, gun lockbox distributions, and raise awareness of available resources and opportunities.
In 2025 the ROGVP plans to launch a Community Violence Intervention (CVI) Training & Wellbeing Academy to strengthen the CVI workforce and increase capacity for a holistic public safety ecosystem in King County.
Hospital-based & Community Linked Intervention through Harborview Medical Center:
Through this initiative, Harborview Medical Center hospital staff, including survivors of gun violence, provide bedside and follow-up support and connect individuals and families to a network of community-based service providers. This initiative is also funded by Public Health – Seattle & King County, the City of Seattle, and the state of Washington, Hospital-based staff, including survivors of gun violence, connect individuals and families with a network of community-based service providers.
Working together toward lasting change
This collaborative approach emphasizes the need for sustainable efforts to achieve lasting change. By working together, we can create safer communities where all can thrive.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by gun violence and needs support, support is available. Visit the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention Community-Based Resource Guide to get connected to resources.
Originally published on March 14, 2024.
King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention 