Newport News is asking city residents of all ages to complete a survey that will inform the city’s next steps to prevent gun violence.
The city partnered with the Center for Crime, Equity, and Justice Research and Policy at Christopher Newport University to create the survey, which is being paid for with a $25,000 state grant. The purpose of the grant is to help communities develop gun violence intervention and prevention programs.
“One life lost to gun violence is one too many,” Newport News Mayor McKinley L. Price said in a news release. “This effort will be a tremendous benefit to city leadership, as we propose public policy and implement strategies that address gun violence and save lives.”
The survey, which takes an estimated 15-20 minutes to complete, asks residents questions about their experiences with crime, thoughts on safety in the city and the everyday concerns and challenges they face.
The city will use the results of the survey to craft a strategy for addressing gun violence. Part of the plan includes offering grants for qualified community-based organizations that are already doing the work to reduce gun violence. The grant application is expected to open in June.
The city has $125,000 from a state grant to give to qualified organizations with strategies to reduce gun violence. The city manager and council have indicated they may be willing to match or exceed the funds using city dollars.
Newport News has done similar surveys in the past, but most of the data is now more than six years old, according to City Manager Cindy Rohlf. City leaders believe that some of the information has changed.
The survey is available online at https://cnu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOwjnSomdrGMrMq. Paper copies are available at the city libraries — Grissom, Main Street and Pearl Bailey — and communities centers including Brittingham-Midtown, Denbigh, Doris Miller and Courthouse Way.
Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com