On Wednesday, June 24, Durham is pulling together national violence reduction experts, local leaders and residents for a Summit on Saving Lives, a high-pressure gathering aimed at shaping a focused plan to cut gun violence. The morning program is set for the Durham Convention Center, and organizers say in-person seating is already maxed out, though the sessions will be livestreamed for anyone who wants to follow along. The summit kicks off a three-day push in which a 30-member working group will turn months of community listening and data analysis into concrete recommendations.
As of June 13, Durham had logged 242 shooting incidents this year, with 92 people shot and 13 of them killed, the city says, according to the News & Observer. Organizers say the summit grew out of six months of outreach, research and a detailed Gun Violence Analysis that examined recent homicides and non-fatal shootings. The plan is to use that data to zero in on where violence is concentrated and to pick a short list of strategies that can realistically be carried out in Durham.
What To Expect At The Summit
According to the City of Durham's event listing, doors open at 8:30 a.m. for check-in, with the public program running through midday and featuring sessions on local data, a problem analysis and "first principles" of violence reduction. City of Durham staff stress that the morning is open to residents, but in-person seats are limited and latecomers may be steered to the livestream if the venue hits capacity. After the public portion wraps, about 30 leaders from public safety, impacted communities and community partners will keep meeting from June 24–26 to align on strategies and next steps.
Experts And Next Steps
Headlining the expert lineup are Reygan Cunningham, director of the Crime & Justice Policy Lab West, and Thomas Abt, founding director of the University of Maryland's Violence Reduction Center and author of Bleeding Out. The Crime & Justice Policy Lab and the Violence Reduction Center at UMD describe both as national practitioners who have helped cities design data-driven interventions. City officials say the summit is meant to shift "from listening toward aligning around a set of actions" that the city, county and community partners can carry forward, the News & Observer reports.
How To Watch
With the in-person morning session already full, the city is urging residents to tune in via livestream on its YouTube channel; the event page includes the registration link and streaming details. City of Durham staff have also provided an email address on the event page for general and media questions. Officials say the livestream will feature the same presentations and audience Q&A that are available inside the convention center.
Organizers describe the summit as the end of one phase and the start of another. The working group will use what emerges from these sessions to draft recommendations, which elected officials will review before any implementation planning begins. Residents who want to track how those proposals evolve are being encouraged to follow city updates and the livestreamed sessions for the most up-to-date details.
