Roy S. Johnson: What If You Could Decree Solutions to Birmingham’s Gun Violence?

Birmingham Hunts for Answers to Gun Violence

In a city increasingly marred by relentless gun violence, Birmingham’s residents ponder, what would you do if you could decree practically every solution towards eradicating the menace?

A City looks to Revamp Gun Violence Solutions

On this search for answers, the city’s people are equally divided, and harmonious. The problem is apparent- escalating gun violence. The solution? Not so much. The difficulty lies not only in formulating an effective solution but also in accurately gauging its impact. Gun violence is a bewildering conundrum that no single entity or strategy can solve. Yet keeping its significance in perspective, none can refuse the responsibility for a solution.

Brainstorming a Dozen Solutions

The question was directed at non-elected locals who gave rise to a flood of solutions indifferent towards their anonymity(albeit uncommon for AL.com).  The strategy takes various shapes depending on the targeted point in the chain of violence, including police & law enforcement, youth parenting, jobs, economy, guns, and foundational neighborhood restructure, even faith.

A Peek Into The King’s Decree

Some of the proposed solutions, in no particular order, include boosting police presence and integration within the community, fostering civic neighborhood growth partnerships, nurturing positive role models, implementing curfews for minors, and holding parents accountable for their offspring’s actions. An integral part of the solutions also highlighted leveling up job training and aligning them with hiring businesses, aggressive weapon removal and enforcement of penalties for violations, and ensuring access to mental health resources. 

Infrastructure reforms included proposal of improving lighting in notorious crime hotspots, revamped surveillance networks, and razing dilapidated and vacant properties perceived as potential crime hideouts. For some, it was as spiritual as encouraging prayer walks in high-crime locales and a city-wide prayer campaign, holding on to faith as a route to restore moral compasses.

The King’s Decree To Combat Gun Violence

Among a sea of ideas and suggestions, the author recommends a brave decree to provide jobs that instill a sense of pride and foster role models for children, reducing the police officer eligibility age to 18, proposing a dedicated prayer pause for youth, and banning violent video games.

Seeking Further Solutions

The quest for solutions continues, seeking further public participation. The author believes there is an answer to this grim issue by saying “We (city officials, business leaders, all of us) just must be bold enough to bring them to life and patient enough to allow them to save lives.”

This article is part of the author’s commitment as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Hall of Fame, an Edward R. Murrow Award winner, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary towards fostering a conversation about gun violence in Birmingham and finding possible solutions.