America is currently faced with legal battles on the issues of gun violence when the real solution is within reach of every institution. According to Finkelhor et al. (2015), 100 Americans die each day from gun-related incidents. Injuries sustained from guns and deaths continue to fill the homicide statistics in the United States of America. In 2015 an estimated 13, 286 people died from crimes related to guns while 26, 819 people were injured (Finkelhor et al. 2015). Firearms have been ranked the eighth leading cause of death in America. With guns in homes and streets, it is difficult to control the population and deprive them of the weapon. The U.S has approximately 1, 133, 000 police officers who are equivalent to 352 officers per 100, 0000 Americans. The population of American citizens keep rising with the current at 321.1 million as at 2015. Over 300 million firearms are registered and owned by adult citizens. Since 1966, hundreds of programs meant to limit firearms and guns used in the streets have been implemented. However, the police have not managed to reduce the gun-related injuries and deaths. This report explains the programs and collaboration that can help solve this problem.
Positive Aspect of Collaborative Initiative
A collaboration initiative is important in providing the communication necessary to reduce the gun violence across the country. Various positive aspects can be seen in collaborative initiatives. The criminal justice department alone cannot handle the issue of gun violence. The law enforcement agencies need to show the transparency of their actions by involving the communities in their programs (Finkelhor et al. 2015). The United States society has a common goal with is to reduce gun violence. When the criminal justice department involves the community, who share a common goal, there is no communication barrier.
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The participants harness resources from local law enforcement, federal and state to brings multiple perspectives and allows for sharing of roles, accomplishment and responsibilities. Communities should also seek a consensus on the issues causing gun violence. An agreement is important since partners approach the primary issues from different perspectives. The criminal justice system alone cannot design tools that help in crime reduction in community groups (Bilchik, 1999).
The less Essential Partner to the Initiative
Social service agencies are the less essential partners in the collaborative initiative. Although the gun violence is the major cause of deaths in America, the government does not fund its research done by social service agencies. The government officials, USC researchers and public health practitioners have worked together to discuss gun violence as a difficult and contentious issue (Finkelhor et al. 2015). However, both the state and local government do not consider research and social work as a priority in fighting gun violence. The social workers are looking for ways to make a change in the partnership but are not making many contributions as other partners. The social workers understand what happens in the communities but cannot explain why the incidents happen.
The social service agencies approach the gun violence issue from a different angle. They visit schools and institutions to give hope to people who have post-traumatic stress disorder. The argument that people with stress disorder may engage in crimes inspires their activities. American population does dot not believe in their efforts since they believe solution is with the state and local government.
Despite the position of social service agencies as a less essential partner, it has a potential to make a difference when supported and funded by other partners. Americans believe the rhetoric from other organizations that holler loudest and misuse and exploit the language of freedom (Finkelhor et al. 2015). Business organizations should fund social services, and the government should implement the recommendations provided in their reports on gun violence.
The Criminal Justice Entity that Can Enhance the Success of the Initiative
The law enforcement consisting of police officers, FBI and the department of homeland security can enhance the success of the collaborative initiative. The police collaborate with the youth through bodies such as Institute of Youth Engagements (Artigiani, 2001). FBI and other law enforcement should engage all the members of the community at an early stage to help spread the basic community values.
The police can also enhance the collaboration with prosecuting agencies. There should be a joint investigation strategy for homicide and violent crime. The law enforcement agencies should take immediate actions on orders given by the courts to help in handling criminal cases. The court should also monitor the prosecution work of the police to ensure they are within the legal framework when making arrests.
The police can establish a collaborative relationship between the state and local correctional facilities to close the loopholes of corruption in prison. The FBI needs to come up with a corruption initiative that addresses the smuggling by prison officials in exchange for bribes. The collaboration between US law enforcement agencies and the correctional bodies will reduce the crimes operated inside the correction facilities which escalate and affect those outside the prison gates.
Non-Criminal Entity that Can Enhance Success of the Initiative
The business entity can help in reducing the gun violence by working together to avoid late night crowds (Bilchik, 1999). Business associations, late night clubs and in targeted areas can directly participate in recommending the best solutions to prevent crime and develop their neighbourhoods. The nightclubs can also work with the FBI and homeland security by providing information on the threats they face in their business. Most of the illegal guns held by Americans exchange hands in in nightclubs and street corridors.
The business entity can indirectly add to the education and Gang resistance campaigns conducted by social service entities. Corporations can sponsor education and training programs in schools. The cost of education in America is high and poor students may drop out of school to join the streets. The Minnesota Business Partners has made an impute into the initiative by sponsoring training to the police on knowledge about the criminal investigation (Bilchik, 1999). The businesses can offer scholarship programs to students in communities that are targeted by the gun control initiative. Although it is a non-criminal entity, the business entity should be part of the task force in the city and states
In conclusion, the best way to reduce gun violence is to have a collaborative approach to the problem. Collaborations help to bring a different perspective to the approach. It also helps enhance transparency, especially when the community is involved. Less essential entities in the partnership such as the social workers should be empowered by the business communities, state and local government should ensure their inputs bring change to the initiative. The law enforcement can help the partners work together by bridging the gap between the different entities. Due to the complexity of gun violence, the role of business entity is important in financing the programs and investing in the education of stakeholders.
References
Artigiani, E. (2001). Maryland Research in Brief: HotSpot Communities Initiative Phase 1. Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), University of Maryland at College Park.
Bilchik, S. (1999). Promising strategies to reduce gun violence. Juvenile Justice Fact Sheet. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention .
Finkelhor, D., Turner, H. A., Shattuck, A., & Hamby, S. L. (2015). Violence, crime, and abuse exposure in a national sample of children and youth: An update. US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
