To respond to gun violence, young people need more than ‘run, hide and fight’ | Opinion

The end of the school year can bring so much joy and excitement for young people as they look forward to seemingly endless days of sunshine.

But, with the alarming levels of gun violence we have seen across the nation — and right here in Tacoma — I worry about what will happen to our young people this summer.

I have heard from many of you about your fears too, and I have heard painful stories about loved ones our community has already lost to gun violence.

I cannot accept that the only way to protect young people from gun violence is to teach them to run, hide or fight. We must do more.

Following multiple gun-related deaths in Tacoma earlier this year, Mayor Victoria Woodards convened representatives from the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Schools, Metro Parks Tacoma, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Pierce County Juvenile Court, Puyallup Tribe of Indians and other key agencies to tackle the issue of youth violence. Our shared concern led us to chart a collaborative path forward. In May, the City Council directed the City Manager to provide $300,000 in support of as many as 12 “Summer Teen Late Nights” locations, as well as youth violence prevention programming with Tacoma Public Schools, Metro Parks and numerous community partners.

I am excited to share that the Summer Teen Late Nights program kicked off June 26 across Tacoma, with select schools, community centers and non-profits opening their doors Monday through Friday, from 5 to 10 p.m. The idea is to keep young people safe and engaged after hours.

Tacoma Public School Board Vice President Korey Strozier says if we want to keep our kids safe, we need opportunities like this. We need to be proactive in our efforts to create spaces that attract young people and keep them safe and engaged all summer long.

While these initial steps help meet some urgent needs, we must also come together as a community to address the root causes of gun violence.

Along with my Council colleagues, I have sought to ensure that work to develop Tacoma’s Community Safety Strategy is community-led, and includes data-driven goals for reducing levels of gun violence, as well as pathways beyond policing for violence prevention.

I’m also leading efforts to explore how the city can prevent legally purchased firearms from being used illegally by or against young people, including increasing the accessibility of gun safes.

You can help by talking with the young people in your life about mental health and gun violence, and by encouraging them to visit a Summer Teen Late Nights location. We also need your help making sure your guns and ammunition are safely stored.

Follow the City of Tacoma’s social media platforms and website to get involved in community-led efforts to develop Tacoma’s Community Safety Strategy and define what community safety looks like citywide, while examining societal, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to it.

Together, we can take back summer for our young people and move closer to a safer future for all.

At-large Council Member Kiara Daniels was elected in November 2021. A proud Tacoma native and resident of Central Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood, she is a longtime community advocate who values giving back and contributing to a stronger community.