By Tony Thurmond

The Richmond city council is developing short-term and long-term plans to reduce and prevent violence and is interested in hearing violence reduction suggestions from the general public.
    Richmond citizens, civic leaders and business groups are encouraged to submit ideas for the city council to consider.
    Ideas can be submitted in writing to the city manager’s office by email at trina_jackson@ci.richmond.ca.us or by fax at (510) 620- 6542.
    For more information, call (510) 620-6581.
    At the Dec. 6 city council meeting, City Manger Bill Lindsay will present recommendations to the council for stepping up city services in ways that may help to reduce violence in the short term. These service enhancements could include creating evening recreation center programming and carrying out more aggressive blight removal efforts.
    The city council recently passed a resolution introduced by Mayor Anderson declaring violence prevention as Richmond’s top priority. The council also identified the need for Richmond to have a violence prevention coordinator position.
    The council has directed city staff to intervene between rival gangs and other parties currently engaged in violence in Richmond. This intervention could include facilitating truces between gangs and helping disaffected youth and adults in Richmond get connected to job training and other social programs.
    The city council and its staff seek to connect these efforts with those already taking place by faith-based, civic, nonprofit and government groups in the Richmond area.

Tony Thurmond is a member of the Richmond City Council.