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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2014.03.19 - 21247Miscellaneous Resolution # 14067 BY: Commissioners Marcia Gershenson, District #13; Helaine Zack, District #18; Gary McGillivray, District #20; Bill Dwyer, District, District #14; Mike Spisz #3 RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION IMPLEMENTATION FOR GUN VIOLENCE REPORT OF THE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen: WHEREAS on February 7, 2013, the Board of Commissioners adopted MR#13017, which included "requests the Public Services Committee to meet to examine issues germane to gun violence in Oakland County and the role of the Board of Commissioners, departments and agencies in combating it."; and WHEREAS a series of public forums were held by the Public Services Committee to fulfill this charge, with expert witnesses offering expertise and public input throughout; and WHEREAS a recurring theme among many of the panelists was the need for more public education and awareness of existing laws and programs that could be helpful in reducing the risk of gun violence; and WHEREAS many programs and educational resources exist in our community that could be of great benefits in improving overall public safety and helping people at risk but are not reaching the people who need it most, due to the lack of adequate communication; and WHEREAS on July 17, 2013 the Board of Commissioners adopted the Report of the Public Services Committee "Gun Violence in Oakland County" by a unanimous vote; and WHEREAS the report adopted by the Board of Commissioners included the action items: • Educate private citizens to be the eyes and ears in their communities for potential violence threats and how to report these concerns, • Promote public awareness campaigns to improve the understanding of citizens of the warning signs and risk factors of at-risk individuals, • Promote the development of citizen volunteers to provide individual assistance as outlined in successful programs such as "Mental Health First Aid" and "Stomp Out". Ambassadors from every community in the County should participate to help build awareness in their area, • Promote the variety of crisis intervention services such as Common Ground's crisis hotline and new alternative ways of seeking help through new technology, such as live chat and text messaging, • Undertake a sticker campaign recognizing retailers who commit to and adopt effective policies to not sell violent video games to individuals who do not meet the ratings requirements printed on the games, • Promote continual effective gun safety practices through public awareness and regular training. Increase public awareness of the proper securing of firearms and the penalties associated with the failure to do so, • Provide greater public awareness of the importance of rapidly reporting stolen weapons • Promote a public awareness campaign of the additional safety afforded by purchasing firearms through a registered federal firearms dealer.; and WHEREAS on November 13, 2013 the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the Report Commission District# 20 r Gary McGillivra Commissioner District# 3 ,( // Commissi District Commi Distriel # zr/ oommisOper Bill Dwyer District*. 14 /7 COmmissi pisfiCY cm riliss to District # from Public Services: Public Service Announcements Raising Awareness Of Video Game Ratings System At No Cost To Oakland County; and WHEREAS while public service announcements were produced and distributed at no cost to the county, receiving a high degree of success with public airplay, costs were incurred by individuals and further efforts without support are not practical; and WHEREAS following the adoption of the "Gun Violence in Oakland County" report, Chairman Dwyer appointed a Study Group of the Public Services Committee which has met on an ongoing basis to investigate the implementation of the recommendations of the report and the Study Group has requested funding for these efforts. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Oakland County Board of Commissioners recognizes the threat of gun violence to the citizens of Oakland County and in the interest of the public's safety authorizes and supports an awareness campaign to increase the public's knowledge of the tools and recommendations the Board adopted in the 2013 Gun Violence in Oakland County Report. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board of Commissioners authorizes that a sum not to exceed $5,000 from the Special Projects (731822) line item of the Board of Commissioners Budget be authorized for expenditures proposed by the Gun Violence Study Committee of the Public Services Committee, with approval by the Chairman of the Board, related to increasing public awareness and knowledge to reduce the threat of gun violence in Oakland County. Chairperspn, I move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution. Commissioner Marcia Geryson District# 13 CoMmission4;e District # Commissioner Helaine Zack District # 18 Commissioner District # Commissioner District # Resolution #14067 March 19, 2014 The Chairperson referred the resolution to the Public Services Committee. There were no objections.