Leaders Unite at Delaware Summit to Tackle Community Violence

A significant gathering took place at Delaware State University this week as state and national leaders convened for the inaugural Community Violence Intervention Summit. Organized by End Community Violence Now, the event aimed to highlight progress and share strategies to combat community violence, a pressing issue in Delaware and across the United States.

During the summit, Lauren Footman, executive director of End Community Violence Now, emphasized the importance of a collective impact approach in addressing gun violence. She stated, “Our role is to not only coordinate our community violence organizations, but to ensure that they have the financial resources and the capacity-building resources to reduce gun violence across the state of Delaware.” This sentiment resonated throughout the event, as participants shared research and personal experiences related to violence prevention.

The event began with a presentation from the Delaware Division of Public Health, which provided crucial data revealing both successes and ongoing challenges in violence prevention. In 2023, Delaware ranked 39th in the nation for firearm deaths, with a total of 124 deaths. The state recorded 55 homicides, a decline from 64 in 2022, marking a positive trend. However, the number of suicide-related deaths increased, with Delaware ranking 42nd nationally, reporting 144 suicides in 2023, up from 130 in 2022. Footman highlighted the impact on communities of color, noting that suicide is a leading cause of gun violence in Delaware.

Despite these statistics, there are indicators of progress in violence prevention efforts. Footman’s organization has been instrumental in implementing the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) strategy, which has shown measurable success, particularly in the town of Laurel. “In Wilmington, we have seen historic declines to prepandemic levels,” Footman remarked. “In Laurel, there’s been no reported homicides or shootings in 2025, and that’s where we’ve had targeted intervention and coordination.” The organization hopes to expand these efforts throughout the state, particularly in Sussex County.

The summit featured insights from Gregory Jackson, former deputy director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and current president of the Rocket Foundation. Jackson discussed how the national office has influenced local actions, including in Delaware. He noted the creation of a national “playbook” designed to integrate federal policy with local partnerships and data systems. “Nationwide the last two years, we’ve seen a 31% reduction in homicides and a 20% reduction in mass shootings,” he stated, adding that the most significant declines have occurred in large cities.

Although the White House office was dissolved under the previous administration earlier this year, Jackson emphasized the importance of grassroots efforts in preventing violence. He pointed out that when the Biden administration began, there was only one statewide office of gun violence prevention, compared to the current 17 at the state level and 130 at the city level. “Delaware is a perfect example of how local engagement can drive change,” he said.

Recently, Delaware took a significant step by signing legislation to establish its own Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a move Jackson believes reflects the collaborative framework his office helped develop. The success of these initiatives hinges on sufficient funding, as community organizations require financial support to effectively address violence.

The Community Violence Intervention Summit not only showcased the commitment of leaders to tackle violence but also highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration among community organizations, advocates, and government officials. With the right resources and strategies, Delaware aims to continue making strides toward reducing community violence and ensuring safer environments for all residents.