White graphic with bold orange text reading "PEACE" and lighter text above and below reading "Blueprint for" and "Kalamazoo.
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Stop the shooting, stop the violence.

We must prevent shootings and interrupt retaliation before it happens. Effective prevention and intervention require shared data and strategic application of resources, which can only be achieved by strengthening relationships between law
enforcement and priority communities. 

A simple line drawing of a rifle inside a circle with a diagonal line through it, indicating no guns or firearms allowed.

“Unifying our community ecosystem creates a wave of resources that not only supports those who are overexerted with the work but also opens up options for those who are struggling. It gives them more momentum with each resource to deal with the barriers that come up, whether it’s housing, mental health, education or workforce development.”

Yafinceio “Big B” Harris, co-founder of street outreach and support group Peace During War
This unification of our systems is key to the public-health model. Tying together agencies and communities with different knowledge sets strengthens our social safety net. Chief David Boysen of Kalamazoo Public Safety has seen that law enforcement working collaboratively with street outreach is effective. “If we can provide structure and funding to build trust and work together, we can prevent shootings before they happen,” Boysen said. Supporting victims and their families as they heal from the trauma violence creates is also preventive. Those who experience violence are more likely to enact violence, so caring for survivors protects not only the individuals and families impacted but also those at risk of perpetuating cycles.

Action Steps

  • Establish formal partnerships for data sharing agreement between agencies and research groups.
  • Increase public access to data transparency and accountability.

  • Blueprint for Peace publishes monthly incident reports to help our community track trends and guide prevention efforts.

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  • Strengthen capacity and alignment of local community violence intervention efforts.
  • Increase community awareness and use of transformative practices and diversion programs for youth and adults.
  • Implement implicit bias and micro-aggression reduction and de-escalation training to include first responders, mental health providers and community health workers. 
  • Expand support services for survivors of violence through hospital-community partnerships and social service programs.
  • Expand post-incident trauma healing support, including community events and critical incident debriefing for victims, witnesses, accused and first responders, connecting them to appropriate community supports. 
  • Support and promote individual capacity for conflict prevention, de-escalation and proactive bystander practices in schools and neighborhoods.
  • Engage the community, parents, and care providers in gun safety, conflict prevention, and de-escalation.

Have a question or want to get involved?

Reach out to learn more about our initiatives or explore ways to get involved in building a more peaceful Kalamazoo.

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