Madison Reporter

Madison Public Health and Dane County officials, including Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and police Chief Shon Barnes, joined state officials for a panel discussion about violence prevention.

The panel discussion, held at Warner Park Recreation Center in Madison, addressed gun safety and suicide prevention, in addition to violence prevention. The panel also answered questions from the audience. 

“Here’s what we know about violent crime: The biggest predictor of a case of violence is a preceding case of violence,” Barnes told NBC15.com. “Just like if you get Covid, it’s because you were around someone who had Covid. Violence works just like infectious diseases.”

Booths at the event gave away free gun locks and Narcan, as well as information and resources.

Thus far this year, the Madison Police Department has recorded 31 weapons violations, along with 76 narcotics violations, 80 counts of assault and 32 counts of aggravated assault, 76 DUIs, and one count of homicide. In 2021, the city had 42 weapons violations, with 54 DUIs and 95 narcotics violations.

PHMDC Policy and Planning Director Aurielle Smith continues to call gun violence a public health issue.

“It’s an issue that affects the population at large,” Smith said. “That is what makes public health different from your primary health care provider or the doctor that you see. We (PHMDC) are the health care solution for the community.”