Washington D.C. played host to St. Paul's Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) today as they joined forces with a cadre of violence prevention experts at the White House. More than 40 communities are in the mix as part of a powerful national collaboration aimed at putting a stop to gun violence, through the National Offices of Violence Prevention Network (NOVPN).

The confab is a direct result of President Biden's establishment of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention back in September 2023, which focuses on supporting state and local maneuvers to combat the surge in gun violence that followed the pandemic era. The offices are on a mission to trigger positive change through grass-roots movements and proactive community-led projects that reach further than mere crisis management.

Mayor Carter expressed enthusiasm about the federal support, saying, "We are pleased to have a partner in the Biden-Harris Administration who shares our commitment to ensuring that everyone who lives, works, and plays in Saint Paul is safe." According to a statement, Carter is bullish on enhancing the city's Community-First Public Safety framework, a strategy that meshes traditional emergency responses with innovative preventive measures for heading off future crises.

Brooke Blakey, Director of ONS, is set to discuss the city’s unique approach with leaders nationwide. Blakey told St. Paul officials, "The White House’s convening is timely, given we are heading into the summer months when keeping young people positively engaged is hardest and most important."

The ONS, a creation that sprouted from Mayor Carter's initiative in February 2022, has the mandate to stitch a fine balance between police work and community-based strategies that seek to tackle crime at its roots.

Meanwhile, the NOVPN champions a unique approach by operating as a community for learning, designed to elevate the expertise and impact of violence prevention entities. The network, which has ballooned to around 60 members since its inception in 2021, specializes in providing leadership training, virtual and in-person meetings, and expertise in the fields of data, funding, and media. Those interested in knowing more about their activities can head to the official NOVPN site. For insights into the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR), the strategic force behind NOVPN, the NICJR website provides comprehensive information.