Here at St. Louis Area Violence Prevention Commission, we work to reduce violent crime in the region by promoting and advocating for coordinated, well-resourced policies, support systems, and interventions among area governments, institutions and agencies that serve individuals and families most at risk of violent crime. We are a regional, cross-sector collaboration.
Role: To align, convene, communicate and connect the organizations addressing Gun Violence Prevention and Reduction.
Goal: A reduction in gun related crimes, injuries, and deaths throughout the St. Louis Region focusing on high-risk youth.
Vision: VPC envisions a St. Louis region where communities enjoy quiet nights and the sounds of children playing during the days. A St. Louis that is a safe and desirable destination for businesses and residents. A St. Louis in which all community members feel protected and served by law enforcement and empowered to have a voice in important regional issues.
Our Values & Guiding Principles
Racial Equity Focus: We demonstrate a commitment to violence prevention solutions that address racial inequity and systemic/structural racism
Respect: We respect everyone in the community, valuing all cultures and recognizing strengths, needs, and aspirations without judgment.
Integrity: We use the highest standards of ethics and professionalism to maintain integrity and build community trust through honesty and commitment.
Data + Results Driven: We are committed to a transparent, data-driven process, including community feedback, actionable data, and evolving priorities, that results in measurable improvements/outcomes.
Community Engagement + Inclusion: Through intentional inclusion, engagement, and empowerment, we foster a culture of equity that respects and values the contributions of every individual toward a safe community.
Systems level change + regional shared plan: We achieve systemic change and policy solutions locally and within a regionally shared plan to reduce and prevent violence.
Resources: We collaborate regionally, coordinate existing resources, and develop new resources to achieve our shared vision.
Get Involved
A comprehensive approach to violence prevention and reduction must include promotion, prevention, and intervention. Here are ways to get involved across the spectrum.
Intervention
Promotion
Universal
Selective
Choose Your Level of Engagement- Each level of engagement can support one or more of the VPC Action Plan Objectives.
VPC Objective 1: Improve community level response to nonfatal shooting
VPC Objective 2: Advance trauma-informed and evidence-based violence prevention practices in community, systems, and service delivery
VPC Objective 3: Activate communities to strengthen police legitimacy
