We Stand With LA's Peacemakers
A tragic shooting took place during Summer Night Lights (SNL) at Algin Sutton Recreation Center. SNL is a coordinated summer safety strategy meant to build community trust and create safe environments as alternatives to the violence that typically peaks in summer months. SNL brings together the entire community—including those closest to violence—to engage in activities, food, and celebration. This is the third shooting to occur during the community events.
Despite a citywide decrease in shootings and homicides, our neighborhoods continue to be marred by gunshots. The communities we work in don’t have the same level of safety that other areas of the city experience. Our communities deserve tailored, place-based solutions to address specific public safety needs that differ from other parts of the city. We know that violence intervention works within a broader community-based safety strategy that expands the traditional public safety framework beyond just law enforcement.
The shootings at the Algin Sutton, Ross Snyder, and Wilmington Recreation Centers and two weeks ago in Watts are a direct result of the disinvestment in and watering down of community violence intervention (CVI) and the larger safety strategy over the last six years. There has not been nearly enough understanding of the root causes of community violence or strategizing around engaging highest need individuals closest to violence. Instead, CVI has become conflated with youth development and case management leaving the workforce overburdened and under-resourced.
Peacemakers have a distinct ability to reduce violence but are being overshadowed by investments in other areas that, while necessary, do not address gun and gang violence at its core. Youth development and case management are a complement to the foundational role of peacemakers in creating peace and safety. CVI must be valued as a pillar of community safety in its own right.
Robust community safety efforts reduce the over-reliance on law enforcement to address all of the City’s social issues. The LA Peace Plan calls on the City of Los Angeles to revitalize and reinvest in the community violence intervention workforce to scale up the field as an essential part of a comprehensive public safety approach. This includes reinvigorating the SNL initiative to increase its capacity and institutionalize consistent investment in neighborhoods.
Peacemakers risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe, and they bear the immeasurable cost of gun violence. They deserve recognition, respect, and investment. Urban Peace Institute honors Jose Refugio Quezada, who lost his life leaving the park after volunteering to cook at Wilmington Recreation Center's SNL. We honor all the lives stolen daily by the epidemic here in LA and across the nation. It’s only a matter of time before another shooting occurs—action is needed NOW to fund peacemakers and scale a comprehensive community safety strategy. Everybody deserves safety.
In Peace,
Fernando Rejón
Executive Director
Urban Peace Institute