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Special recognition of June 2022 as Gun Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, murders and shootings have been on the rise in Lake County. In 2021, we saw 21-gun violence related homicides and 28 suicides by firearm. This is the highest ever recorded in both categories for our County; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, there were over 600 mass shooting events in the United States which resulted in over 700 deaths and over 2,800 injuries; and
WHEREAS, over 1,500 children and teens, age 17 and under, were killed by gun violence and over 4,000 were injured; and
WHEREAS, public safety is one of the County Board’s highest responsibilities to the communities it serves; and
WHEREAS, community leaders and law enforcement officers are the most familiar with local criminal activity, what is needed to address it, and are best positioned to understand how to keep citizens safe; and
WHEREAS, a new Lake County Gun Violence Prevention Initiative, supported by the Lake County Board and led by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, will partner with community and law enforcement to address the root causes of gun violence, and implement proven short-term and long-term strategies, to immediately interrupt cycles of gun violence; and
WHEREAS, Lake County is committed to encouraging gun safety and responsibility for lawful gun owners, and to the reduction of gun violence in Lake County to keep our children and community safe.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, that the Lake County Board acknowledges June 2022 as Gun Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and encourages residents to commemorate this month in honor and remembrance of the victims and survivors of gun violence; and
BE IT FURTHER RECOGNIZED, that Lake County encourages citizen participation and support in keeping our communities safe and preventing tragic senseless incidents of gun violence.
DATED, at Waukegan, Illinois, on June 14, 2022.