Chattanooga comes togethers for 1st Annual Violence Summit

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanooga and Hamilton County Elected Officials and Community Members came together for the first annual Violence Summit on Tuesday. 

 “So we have been meeting for months just to sit down and plan what is violence, what does violence look like from a city as well as a county perspective, and how to impact the lives of people like never before,” said Chris Sands, Office of Community Health. 

 As part of the Violence Summit, Chattanooga and Hamilton County discussed ways to minimize violence among young adults. 

 Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers believes its vital to keep folks safe in Chattanooga

 “if you are living through this and your friends or your family member have been experiencing violence or the threat of violence, you are not going to feel safe,” said Chief Chambers. “That is very understandable, and that is why we want to continue to partner with our community to try and address not just the realism of safety, but also the perception of safety.” 

 According to the City of Chattanooga, Gun Violence has decreased 17 percent. 

 However, District Attorney Coty Wamp says there is still work to be done in order to end violent crimes. 

 “It is not a government problem. We can certainly help, Police can certainly help, but we have got to come together as a community, the school system, church leaders, members of the community, and different organizations like United Way, Mothers of Murdered Sons, we have got to come together as a collective,” said Wamp. 

 Hamilton County and Chattanooga is continuing its efforts to work with State Senator Bo Watson and State Representative Patsy Hazelwood to crack down on violence in the community. 

 Ladarius Price, Deputy Director for Economic Development expresses the need to provide resources to young adults. 

 “It is our job to create these, safe spaces for our youth, but create opportunities for them where they can thrive and do very well in life. That is our job. That is what we have been called to do in our life and we got to make sure that we do it, and just keep, providing so many different resources and tools for our youth to be successful,’ said Price.