The scourge of gun violence in Lauderhill has led to the launch of an ambitious new initiative aimed to sharply reduce crime rates in the city. The initiative, coined Lauderhill Peace 365, is a multifaceted approach involving the efforts of city officials, law enforcement, and the community.

Commissioner Melissa Dunn is spearheading the movement which featured research to identify the roots of local gun violence. The program is set to also focus on community engagement and conflict resolution training, especially for the youth. In a statement obtained by NBC Miami, Dunn remarked, "Any one of those things isolated by itself will not move the needle, but when you combine them, when you combine great policing with technology, with community involvement and with a movement that really encourages people to shift their mindset, I believe you’re gonna see a change in Lauderhill."

The city has seen a troubling 44% increase in homicides, jumping from three deaths in 2022 to nine in 2023. Brittany Bucknor, the mother of a 19-year-old victim, Destiny Bucknor, has joined the Lauderhill Peace 365 initiative. "These are human beings that we don’t get back, this is not a toy that you just discard and say, oh, let me go pick up another one at Walmart, these are human lives," Bucknor told NBC Miami.

The initiative is not just outreach; it entails a mix of increased policing and a series of free conflict resolution workshops designed to directly engage teenagers. According to a Local 10 report, the plan includes "daily acts of kindness and peaceful conflict resolution" through peace walks, workshops, forums, and a marketing campaign to promote a peace pledge. The ultimate goal of these initiatives is to actively forge a more peaceful everyday life within the community.

Lauderhill is poised to officially kick off the Peace 365 program in the coming week. The campaign comes with the political backing of Deputy Chief of Police Allen Siegel and Fire Chief Robert Torres. It is endorsed by Commissioner Dunn, who is currently running for re-election unopposed. Dunn highlighted the importance of the cause: "By making peace a personal commitment, residents contribute to building a more peaceful environment for themselves, their families, and our community," she said, according to a Local 10 statement.

With endorsements from several significant figures and community organizations, Lauderhill Peace 365 represents the city's earnest commitment to put an end to the violence tearing through its streets. One of the program's more creative contributions is a rap song by former gang member Mancito Telfort. Telfort told NBC Miami, "Because this is where I’m from, and I wouldn’t want another child to go through the things that I went through." He sees himself as the perfect ambassador to reach the youth, intimating the importance of education and positive life choices over the street life that led to his own incarceration.

The city hopes to see positive results from Lauderhill Peace 365 within two to three years following its enactment.