LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To the editor,

In response to the Sandy Hook Massacre in 2012, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Public Services Committee has worked proactively on the issue of Preventing Gun Violence in Oakland County.  By creating our bi-partisan Curbing Gun Violence Study Group in 2013, the Public Services Committee heard expert testimony from law enforcement leaders, school superintendents, second amendment rights advocates, and mental health professionals at the recorded public informational hearings that were webcast.

Each group shared insight on what measures should be taken. Valuable information was provided by U. S. Federal Attorney Barbara McQuade of the Eastern District of Michigan and many others.  From the various hearings, we created a “Curbing Gun Violence” report, along with a survey which engaged the public.  

Our study group educated the public with the creation of the Gun Safety Lock, Video Game Ratings and Mental Health Matters public service announcements featuring media personality Diana Lewis. The report, survey, and public service announcements can be viewed online at www.oakgov.com/boc.

We partnered with Training & Treatment Innovations to announce their free 8-hour Mental Health First Aid Training for the public  and recently informed law enforcement agencies of free mental health educational training. 

Through our collaboration with 38 local law enforcement agencies,  Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard’s Office, Crimes Stoppers and the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Project Child Safe initiative, we were able to give away 2,000 free Project Child Safe Locks throughout the county as part of our recognition of National Gun Safety Awareness Day on June 6th.  We thank Bill Brassard of the National Shooting Sports Foundation for providing 2,000 free Project Child Safety Gun Locks. We thank all of the supporters of our efforts, who helped make the National Association of Counties’ Achievement Award that we received for civic engagement and public awareness possible, as a result of our Prevent Gun Violence in Oakland County and Public Awareness program.

Our commitment to curbing gun violence addresses a complex issue. We continue to seek information in our quest for solutions. We hope that our efforts will serve as a model framework to develop better public policy in the process to end gun violence.

Sincerely,

Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Public Services Committee/Curbing Gun Violence Study Group, Bill Dwyer, Marcia Gershenson, Michael Spisz, Helaine Zack, Gary McGillivray, Mike Bosnic and Shelley Taub.