Columbus Public Health will host a community discussion on Saturday to share perspectives on gun violence prevention.
It's part of an ongoing series by the health department to educate Columbus residents about on gun violence in city.
Saturday's event invites local and national experts to share what other communities are doing to reduce violence.
Columbus Public Health commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said it’s a chance to hear from local residents.
"We are only as strong as what are community is and needs and we won't know that unless they voice it to us,” Roberts said. “So we’ll have some our board members present tomorrow, we’ll have some of our experts speaking and we’ll have a good discussion tomorrow morning.”
This is the fourth event of its kind hosted by the public health department.
In May, public health invited Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant to share statistics and trends on gun violence in the city.
June's forum covered current gun violence prevention programs public health is working on with communities.
July's discussion invited people affected by gun violence in Columbus to share their experiences. Saturday’s meeting will be a culmination of these topics.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther declared gun violence a public health emergency in February. Roberts said they will submit its recommendations to Ginther in October.
Saturday's event is free at the Columbus Public Health Office's on Parsons Avenue, but in-person attendance is capped at 125 people and masks will be mandatory. It starts at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to end at noon. People can also attend the event virtually.
Speakers include:
- Andrew J. Ginther, Mayor, City of Columbus
- Dr. Mysheika Roberts, Health Commissioner, Columbus Public Health
- Dr. Chenelle Jones, Assistant Dean of Community Engagement and Chair of Public Safety Programs, Franklin University
- Malik Moore, Commissioner, Public Safety Co-Chair, Greater Hilltop Area Commission
- Matthew Richards, Deputy Commissioner of Behavioral Health, Chicago Department of Public Health
- Marian Stuckey, Section Chief of Neighborhood Social Services, Columbus Public Health.
