Violence Intervention and Prevention Partners

08/03/2022

4 years ago last week I was gunned down in my driveway in South Knoxville. I survived. Last week, on this ominous anniversary, Daniel Edwards was gunned down in Birmingham, AL, one month after graduating from high school. Daniel did not survive. Daniel's cousins are Felecia and Joshua Outsey, my longtime friends and SOULdiers who have stood tirelessly and lovingly for peace, justice, healing, and against gun violence in Knoxville for most of our lives. They are reaching out for help for Daniel's family in this heartbreaking moment. Please.

Our beloved Daniel Edward Fowler was taken from us by a senseless a… Deborah Lumpkin needs your support for MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER FOR DANIEL EDWARDS FOWLER

05/10/2021

“Guns are not my thing at all but they’re a fact of life that isn’t going away,” said Love is the Answer Community Showcase organizer Felecia Outsey, who has been working with local young people on a series of anti-violence arts and culture events. “So we need positive role models from our community who we know are responsible and accountable and are keeping us safe and will teach us how to keep each other safe too."

The WireJustice NEW: Protecting Our People By Rick Held - May 10, 2021 0 215 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp The POP Tenn militia at Friday’s anti-vilolence at Dr. Walter Hardy Memorial Park. Photo by Rick Held. It was too soon to have a visible police presence at Austin-East Magnet High Schoo...

05/03/2021

"Hayes explained that he feels the city’s elected representatives carry a burden of guilt due to a lack of investment and support for the community. Hayes cited as evidence of this culpability the city’s lack of affordable housing, the 60-million-dollar police budget in place of money being spent on programs to help youth and the council’s refusal to commit to funding Councilperson Seema Singh’s recent resolution to greatly increase funding for intervention and prevention programs. "

The WireJustice “We all need you to lead” By Jennifer Stambaugh - April 30, 2021 0 94 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp An image of Anthony Thompson Jr. is projected onto a downtown building Wednesday night by protesters. It’s been 18 days since Anthony Thompson Jr. was shot and killed by Kn...

05/03/2021

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2021/04/30/go-there-knoxville-gun-violence-chris-james-dpweekend.cnn?fbclid=IwAR1R9hfA8Gz7l4MLG7zRqNuhYjusx9XkDe7NEi5X8jB21JSAoeffsoDgltE

The April 12 police killing of Black teenager Anthony Thompson Jr. inside of a bathroom at Knoxville's Austin-East Magnet High School has sparked a wave of protests throughout the city. Thompson is the school's fifth student to die at the hands of gun violence this year, and many in the Black commun...

04/17/2021

URGENT CALL TO ACTION FOR CITY COUNCIL VOTE TUESDAY
(Suggested swing votes/priority calls listed below)

Please contact the City officials listed below BEFORE TUESDAY and ask them to please vote in support of this Resolution to establish a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund and a Public Safety Resource Coalition.

As you know, Monday was yet another unbearable tragedy at one of our high schools.

Monday also began Youth Violence Prevention Week.
We need more than this.

PLEASE.

ACT.

NOW.

On Tuesday, April 20 a Resolution will be introduced at Knoxville City Council to establish a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund and a Public Safety Resource Center:

RESOLUTION SUMMARY
Recently retained consultant Cities United's role is recognized as a crucial element in building community capacity to address the most immediate, frontline threats of gun violence .

Second line initiatives that address the root causes of violence require increased and sustained investments, e.g. employment, training, education, counseling, and trauma-informed services .

*$4 million in FY 21-22 should be directed to begin seeding a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund, to support the establishment of a multi-agency, multi-government, community-driven Public Safety Resource Center, potentially based upon the collaborative, “wraparound services” model of the Family Justice Center, to implement data-driven, evidence-based best practices to address root causes of violence.

Recognizing the Mayor's consistent position that the City is not the only institution with a stake in local violence intervention and prevention, City Council is requesting the administration to lead engagement of all critical government and agency stakeholders, including Knox County government, schools, criminal courts, District Attorney's office, and any and all relevant state, local and federal agencies and nonprofits with a "public health and safety" mission, to contribute appropriate resources and otherwise collaborate equitably and in good faith on developing and supporting the Violence Intervention and Prevention Plan and Public Safety Resource Coalition.

* Why $4M: ~10% of the KPD budget ($6M) has been proposed as a reasonable level of resources to invest in non-law enforcement approaches to public safety that are data-driven and evidence-based. Note this is NOT a proposal to reduce the KPD budget accordingly. The Mayor has recently added $1M to this current budget (20-21) for violence intervemtion and prevention, and has made a commitment to another $1M in the upcoming year's budget (21-22) for this work. With the passing of this resolution, a $6M investment will be committed to this critical new work.



Please contact the City officials listed below BEFORE TUESDAY and ask them to please vote in support of this Resolution to establish a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund and a Public Safety Resource Coalition.

Please forward this call to action to your networks.

Keep moving in Love.

Phone numbers and emails listed below. You can call (one-on-one conversations are ideal) and/or send a separate email to each official listed below...

OR you can send ONE email to City Recorder Will Johnson:
[email protected] with Subject Heading: "Please forward to Mayor and all City Council members"



= Swing vote (Priority calls)

Vice Mayor Gwen McKenzie - 6th District
865-524-1458
[email protected]

Lauren Rider - 4th District
865-964-3905
[email protected]

Charles Thomas - 5th District
865-687-6090
[email protected]

Tommy Smith - 1st District
865-567-6211
[email protected]

Andrew Roberto - 2nd District
865-406-4012
[email protected]

Seema Singh - 3rd District
865-368-8391
[email protected]

Lynne Fugate - At-Large
865-566-7414
[email protected]

Janet Testerman - At-Large
865-250-4860
[email protected]

Amelia Parker - At-Large
865-851-8561
[email protected]

04/16/2021

URGENT CALL TO ACTION FOR CITY COUNCIL VOTE TUESDAY

(Suggested swing votes/priority calls listed below)

Please contact the City officials listed below BEFORE TUESDAY and ask them to please vote in support of this Resolution to establish a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund and a Public Safety Resource Center.

As you know, Monday was yet another unbearable tragedy at one of our high schools.

Monday also began Youth Violence Prevention Week.

We need more than this.

PLEASE.

ACT.

NOW.

On Tuesday, April 20 a Resolution will be introduced at Knoxville City Council
to establish a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund and a Public Safety Resource Center:

RESOLUTION SUMMARY (full version attached)

Recently retained consultant Cities United's role is recognized as a crucial element in building community capacity to address the most immediate, frontline threats of gun violence .

Second line initiatives that address the root causes of violence require increased and sustained investments, e.g. employment, training, education, counseling, and trauma-informed services .

*$4 million in FY 21-22 should be directed to begin seeding a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund, to support the establishment of a multi-agency, multi-government, community-driven Public Safety Resource Center, potentially based upon the collaborative, “wraparound services” model of the Family Justice Center, to implement data-driven, evidence-based best practices to address root causes of violence.

Recognizing the Mayor's consistent position that the City is not the only institution with a stake in local violence intervention and prevention, City Council is requesting the administration to lead engagement of all critical government and agency stakeholders, including Knox County government, schools, criminal courts, District Attorney's office, and any and all relevant state, local and federal agencies and nonprofits with a "public health and safety" mission, to contribute appropriate resources and otherwise collaborate equitably and in good faith on developing and supporting the Violence Intervention and Prevention Plan and Public Safety Resource Center.

* Why $4M: ~10% of the KPD budget ($6M) has been proposed as a reasonable level of resources to invest in non-law enforcement approaches to public safety that are data-driven and evidence-based. Note this is NOT a proposal to reduce the KPD budget accordingly. The Mayor has recently added $1M to this current budget (20-21) for violence intervemtion and prevention, and has made a commitment to another $1M in the upcoming year's budget (21-22) for this work. With the passing of this resolution, a $6M investment will be committed to this critical new work.


Please contact the City officials listed below THIS WEEK and ask them to please co-sponsor or vote in support of this Resolution to establish a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund and a Public Safety Resource Center.
Please forward this call to action to your networks.

Keep moving in Love.

Phone numbers and emails listed below. You can call (one-on-one conversations are ideal) and/or send a separate email to each official listed below...

OR you can send ONE email to City Recorder Will Johnson:
[email protected]
with Subject Heading: "Please forward to Mayor and all City Council members"



= Swing vote (Priority calls)

Vice Mayor Gwen McKenzie - 6th District
865-524-1458
[email protected]

Lauren Rider - 4th District
865-964-3905
[email protected]



Charles Thomas - 5th District
865-687-6090
[email protected]



Tommy Smith - 1st District
865-567-6211
[email protected]

Andrew Roberto - 2nd District
865-406-4012
[email protected]

Seema Singh - 3rd District
865-368-8391
[email protected]

Lynne Fugate - At-Large
865-566-7414
[email protected]

Janet Testerman - At-Large
865-250-4860
[email protected]

Amelia Parker - At-Large
865-851-8561
[email protected]

The circumstances in each shooting are different, but all five are causing heartbreak, frustration and demands for change.

04/14/2021

1. Think:
Read the Resolution below on Violence Intervention and Prevention.

2. Pray:
Suggested meditation: "Faith without works is dead." - James 2

3. PLEASE. ACT. NOW.
On Tuesday, April 20 this Resolution will be introduced at Knoxville City Council. Please contact the City officials listed below THIS WEEK and ask them to please co-sponsor this Resolution to establish a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund and a Public Safety Resource Center.

Please forward this call to action to your networks.

4. Keep moving in Love.



RESOLUTION SUMMARY
> Recently retained consultant Cities United's role is recognized as a crucial element in building community capacity to address the most immediate, frontline threats of gun violence .

> Second line initiatives that address the root causes of violence require increased and sustained investments, e.g. employment, training, education, counseling, and trauma-informed services .
> *$4 million in FY 21-22 should be directed to begin seeding a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund, to support the establishment of a multi-agency, multi-government, community-driven Public Safety Resource Center, potentially based upon the collaborative, “wraparound services” model of the Family Justice Center, to implement data-driven, evidence-based best practices to address root causes of violence.

> Recognizing the Mayor's consistent position that the City is not the only institution with a stake in local violence intervention and prevention, City Council is requesting the administration to lead engagement of all critical government and agency stakeholders, including Knox County government, schools, criminal courts, District Attorney's office, and any and all relevant state, local and federal agencies and nonprofits with a "public health and safety" mission, to contribute appropriate resources and otherwise collaborate equitably and in good faith on developing and supporting the Violence Intervention and Prevention Plan and Public Safety Resource Center.

> * Why $4M: ~10% of the KPD budget ($6M) has been proposed as a reasonable level of resources to invest in non-law enforcement approaches to public safety that are data-driven and evidence-based. Note this is NOT a proposal to reduce the KPD budget accordingly. The Mayor has recently added $1M to this current budget (20-21) for violence intervention and prevention, and has made a commitment to another $1M in the upcoming year's budget (21-22) for this work. With the passing of this resolution, a $6M investment will be committed to this critical new work.



Phone numbers and emails listed below. You can call (one-on-one conversations are ideal) and/or send a separate email to each official listed below...

OR you can send ONE email to City Recorder Will Johnson:
[email protected]
with Subject Heading: "Please forward to Mayor and all City Council members"

The circumstances in each shooting are different, but all five are causing heartbreak, frustration and demands for change.

04/14/2021

1. Think:
Read the Resolution below on Violence Intervention and Prevention.

2. Pray:
Suggested meditation: "Faith without works is dead." - James 2

3. PLEASE. ACT. NOW.
On Tuesday, April 20 this Resolution will be introduced at Knoxville City Council. Please contact the City officials listed below THIS WEEK and ask them to please co-sponsor this Resolution to establish a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund and a Public Safety Resource Center.

Please forward this call to action to your networks.

4. Keep moving in Love.



RESOLUTION SUMMARY
> Recently retained consultant Cities United's role is recognized as a crucial element in building community capacity to address the most immediate, frontline threats of gun violence .

> Second line initiatives that address the root causes of violence require increased and sustained investments, e.g. employment, training, education, counseling, and trauma-informed services .

> *$4 million in FY 21-22 should be directed to begin seeding a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund, to support the establishment of a multi-agency, multi-government, community-driven Public Safety Resource Center, potentially based upon the collaborative, “wraparound services” model of the Family Justice Center, to implement data-driven, evidence-based best practices to address root causes of violence.

> Recognizing the Mayor's consistent position that the City is not the only institution with a stake in local violence intervention and prevention, City Council is requesting the administration to lead engagement of all critical government and agency stakeholders, including Knox County government, schools, criminal courts, District Attorney's office, and any and all relevant state, local and federal agencies and nonprofits with a "public health and safety" mission, to contribute appropriate resources and otherwise collaborate equitably and in good faith on developing and supporting the Violence Intervention and Prevention Plan and Public Safety Resource Center.

> * Why $4M: ~10% of the KPD budget ($6M) has been proposed as a reasonable level of resources to invest in non-law enforcement approaches to public safety that are data-driven and evidence-based. Note this is NOT a proposal to reduce the KPD budget accordingly. The Mayor has recently added $1M to this current budget (20-21) for violence intervention and prevention, and has made a commitment to another $1M in the upcoming year's budget (21-22) for this work. With the passing of this resolution, a $6M investment will be committed to this critical new work.



Phone numbers and emails listed below. You can call (one-on-one conversations are ideal) and/or send a separate email to each official listed below...

OR you can send ONE email to City Recorder Will Johnson:
[email protected]
with Subject Heading: "Please forward to Mayor and all City Council members"

One pastor at Overcoming Believers Church said that to find a solution to gun violence, the Knoxville community needs to come together.

04/14/2021

1. Think:
Read the Resolution below on Violence Intervention and Prevention.

2. Pray:
Suggested meditation: "Faith without works is dead." - James 2

3. PLEASE. ACT. NOW.
On Tuesday, April 20 this Resolution will be introduced at Knoxville City Council. Please contact the City officials listed below THIS WEEK and ask them to please co-sponsor this Resolution to establish a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund and a Public Safety Resource Center.
Please forward this call to action to your networks.

4. Keep moving in Love.



RESOLUTION SUMMARY

> Recently retained consultant Cities United's role is recognized as a crucial element in building community capacity to address the most immediate, frontline threats of gun violence .

> Second line initiatives that address the root causes of violence require increased and sustained investments, e.g. employment, training, education, counseling, and trauma-informed services .

> *$4 million in FY 21-22 should be directed to begin seeding a Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund, to support the establishment of a multi-agency, multi-government, community-driven Public Safety Resource Center, potentially based upon the collaborative, “wraparound services” model of the Family Justice Center, to implement data-driven, evidence-based best practices to address root causes of violence.

> Recognizing the Mayor's consistent position that the City is not the only institution with a stake in local violence intervention and prevention, City Council is requesting the administration to lead engagement of all critical government and agency stakeholders, including Knox County government, schools, criminal courts, District Attorney's office, and any and all relevant state, local and federal agencies and nonprofits with a "public health and safety" mission, to contribute appropriate resources and otherwise collaborate equitably and in good faith on developing and supporting the Violence Intervention and Prevention Plan and Public Safety Resource Center.

> * Why $4M: ~10% of the KPD budget ($6M) has been proposed as a reasonable level of resources to invest in non-law enforcement approaches to public safety that are data-driven and evidence-based. Note this is NOT a proposal to reduce the KPD budget accordingly. The Mayor has recently added $1M to this current budget (20-21) for violence intervention and prevention, and has made a commitment to another $1M in the upcoming year's budget (21-22) for this work. With the passing of this resolution, a $6M investment will be committed to this critical new work.



Phone numbers and emails listed below. You can call (one-on-one conversations are ideal) and/or send a separate email to each official listed below...

OR you can send ONE email to City Recorder Will Johnson:
[email protected]
with Subject Heading: "Please forward to Mayor and all City Council members"

Alexus Page wishes she'd said 'I love you' to her boyfriend who TBI said died from a gunshot wound after firing at officers at Austin-East Magnet High School.

04/08/2021

Love is the Answer: Community Showcase, April 17th!!

2-4PM Youth Rally 🎉 ( Walter-Hardy Park)
4-8PM M.O.V.E. Showcase (Malibu Lot 2514 MLK. Ave)

To sign up and show out 💃🏾.... or for general questions contact Felicia Outsey at 865-293-7437 or via social media .

03/30/2021

As our community reels from the most recent gun violence, we know that Mayor Kincannon desires more than ever that we all come together as partners to face down this growing threat to our collective safety and health. The main purpose of our coalition -- Violence Intervention and Prevention Partners -- is to show up to begin realizing our vision of, in the Mayor’s own words, a “community-driven, community-led, and community-engaged” violence intervention and prevention plan.