Community Gun Violence Prevention Alliance Unveils New Strategic Plan

Community Gun Violence Prevention Alliance Unveils New Strategic Plan

Published on December 09, 2025

The Community Gun Violence Prevention Alliance, a partnership of the City of Gainesville, Alachua County and Santa Fe College, last night presented its first countywide strategic plan to guide long-term efforts to reduce gun violence and strengthen community well-being. The presentation capped months of interviews, town halls and conversations with nearly 200 people across the region, from educators and service providers to law enforcement, advocates and neighbors.

The plan is built on the six core values of collaboration, transparency, care, sustainability, accessibility and empowerment, and it lays out a shared approach for how local partners can work together in the years ahead. It sets expectations around greater accountability and data transparency, stronger coordination across city and county systems, early support for youth and families, and deeper investment in communities most affected by violence.

DPI LLC, the regional consultant selected by the Alliance to lead the planning process, has worked since last August collecting stakeholder interviews, attending community meetings and coordinating small-group discussions. The strategic plan incorporates the opinions and experiences of neighbors who contributed to the process, as well as historical data and feedback, and will track measurable outcomes in the areas of public health and safety, health care, education and community progress over time.

"This plan centers the voices of our neighbors and the needs we see every day," said Gun Violence Intervention Program Manager Brittany Coleman. "Gun violence touches every part of our community, which means everybody is part of the solution. We are grateful for everyone who contributed their experiences and expertise, and we look forward to the work ahead."

Ten high-level strategic objectives outline the work ahead, including expanding youth leadership, establishing a coordinated system of care for school-aged children, improving reentry and employment pathways, supporting family stability, and building healing-centered and economically equitable communities. How the strategic objectives are implemented will be part of the ongoing work of the Alliance over the course of the next year.

The next step is for City of Gainesville and Alachua County staff to present the material to their respective commissions for discussion and potential plan adoption in the weeks ahead. Leaders emphasized that this work requires collaboration at every level and encouraged neighbors to stay involved as the Alliance moves forward.

"From the city's standpoint, this strategic plan provides a clear and workable structure with common sense objectives," said Gainesville Interim City Manager Andrew Persons. "So when implementation begins, our focus will be on supporting the steady, practical steps that we fully expect will make a difference in building a stronger, safer community."

The Alliance's next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 12 in Newberry at the Historic Little Red Schoolhouse from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The gathering will offer neighbors another opportunity to learn more about the plan, ask questions and stay engaged as the work moves into its next phase. Alliance members say continued community participation is essential, and they encourage residents from every corner of the region to attend, share perspectives and help shape the implementation ahead.

For more information about the Alliance or the strategic plan, please contact City of Gainesville Gun Violence Intervention Program Manager Brittany Coleman at [email protected].

• Announcements
• Health & Lifestyle
• Media Releases