A forum on preventing gun violence is set for this Thursday in Benton Township.
Organized by End Gun Violence and St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, the event will bring together panelists who will talk about what they’ve seen in the community and how they believe the violence can be stopped. Vicki Schroeder with End Gun Violence tells us the issue is especially relevant in Berrien County.
“This area is considered a secondary high-risk area for gun violence,” Schroeder said. “Part of that is the increases in urban gun violence and also rural suicides.”
Schroeder is part of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and says part of the forum’s goal will be to spread awareness about Michigan’s new gun safety laws, like those that govern safe storage. But that’s not all they’ll discuss.
“There’ll be a short presentation about the area and about what we’re seeing around the area and then a community discussion, question and answer after the presentation to really start the conversation going in the area.”
The panelists will include Berrien County Trial Court Family Division Administrator Elvin Gonzalez, Present Pillars Director James Gunter, and Berrien RESA Superintendent Eric Hoppstock.
Schroeder says the forum will start at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church. It’s located on Union Avenue in Benton Township. Everyone’s invited.
