MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. — "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is face."
The popular quote from James Baldwin is how city leaders in Muskegon Heights are facing the gun violence in the community.
On Thursday, Sept. 19 there is a GUNS meeting to where city leaders will address the ways that everyone can do their part to reduce the violence in the city. GUNS stands for Gaining Unity through Non-violent Solutions.
Over the past summer, both Muskegon and Muskegon Heights have held similar meetings to tackle the issue plaguing their communities.
"We've got to do something differently than traditional policing, a non-violent approach to solving violence with guns and other types of violent activity," says Police Chief Joseph Thomas.
One of those approaches includes new trauma training for school employees. But they also stressed they need help, that's where the anonymous tip line Ok2Say comes in which is aimed at students.
"Oftentimes if someone is involved in something or knows of something they just want to be able to tell someone and maybe not know what the outcome might be, it's an opportunity for people to have a voice," says Thomas.
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