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Overview
The Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), housed within the Department of Public Health, works to strengthen coordination, capacity and partnerships to address the root causes of violence, and to advance policies and practices that are grounded in race equity, to prevent all forms of violence and to promote healing across all communities in Los Angeles County. OVP monitors the trends and circumstances of violent deaths affecting Los Angeles County to inform decision makers and program planners about ways to prevent and intervene on violence in the community, at home and in the workplace.
At Monterey Park event, President Biden Announces New Gun Safety Measures
This week, President Biden took action on a number of fronts in response to the epidemic of gun violence faced by many communities in Los Angeles County and across the nation. He announced these initiatives on March 14 in Monterey Park, which was the scene of a horrific mass shooting in January 2023. Actions include increasing the number of background checks prior to firearm purchases, increasing public awareness of legal protection orders and safe storage of weapons in the home, and providing the public and elected officials with additional information about federally licensed firearms dealers who are violating the law. (View the White House information fact sheet here.) These measures are consistent with various points outlined in the OVP Gun Violence Prevention Platform that was developed last year in collaboration with county and community partners.
Youth Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention has released a new report, “Youth Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Los Angeles County,” which highlights suicide and suicide attempt data among Los Angeles County youth ages 10-24 between 2016 and 2020. The report includes general demographics, methods most frequently used, and suicide trends during the five-year period. The report also briefly overviews reported suicides and attempts during 2020, with the acknowledgment that there is still much more to understand about this unprecedented time. The report concludes with links to prevention resources that reduce stigma and normalize mental health as an integral component of health and wellbeing.
OVP Statement on the Mass Shooting in Monterey Park
On Sunday morning, we awoke to the all too familiar news of yet another mass shooting in America.
This time, the event occurred in Monterey Park, home to Los Angeles County residents and employees. The alleged gunman then traveled to Alhambra, intending to harm more people. Only the intervention of two extraordinarily brave individuals - who took the gun away - prevented a second tragedy.
Our hearts and thoughts are with the families and communities impacted by this horrific event.
There are still many questions surrounding this mass shooting; the 36th in America in 2023. We don’t know the killer’s motive or motives, how he obtained the weapons, and whether he gave off warning signs that he might be capable of committing such a senseless act.
What we do know is that a peaceful, joyous Lunar New Year celebration at a local dance hall was turned into a scene of death and chaos in a matter of seconds. Most of the deceased and wounded are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. Their grieving families – whose lives will never be the same - are left to wonder why.
Last summer, the Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), housed within the Department of Public Health, worked with a diverse group of county and community partners to develop a 40-point Gun Violence Prevention Platform, which offers a range of critical strategies designed to reduce the scourge of gun violence that threatens communities across Los Angeles County. In the next several weeks and months you will be hearing more about the Platform and its groundbreaking work.
Only through sustained, collective action to reduce gun violence and gun culture can we create a better society, where all of us, from infants to older adults, can live in peace and security.
Incidents of gun violence and loss can affect both children and adults. Attached and following are a list of resources in case you, a loved one or a family member are experiencing distress.
Resources
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health 24/7 ACCESS Center at (800) 854-7771 to receive crisis counseling, assessment, and referrals.
Disaster Distress Hotline this helpline, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), provides immediate counseling for people affected by any disaster or tragedy. Call (800) 985-5990 to connect with a trained professional.
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offer 24-hour confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 988 to connect with a trained counselor at a crisis center in your area. Support is available in English and Spanish via a live chat.
Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource for Veterans of all ages and circumstances. Call (800) 273-8255 then press “1”; or text 838255, or chat online at www.veteranscrisisline.net to connect with 24/7 support. For TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 1-800-273-8255.
Crisis Text Line offers free and confidential support 24/7 throughout the United States. Text “HOME” to 741-741.
Gun Violence Prevention Platform
This past summer, OVP launched the Gun Violence Prevention Platform. The 40-point plan, unprecedented in scope, outlines evidence-based and innovative prevention, intervention, and healing strategies to prevent gun violence. For more information on the Platform, its structure and strategies, please visit: Gun Violence Prevention Platform
LA City, Los Angeles County Sign Violence Prevention MOU MOU Enhances Cooperation in Several Critical Categories
Building on a long-established record of working together to reduce violence, LA City and the County of Los Angeles through its Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that enhances inter-governmental collaboration and cooperation in several critical areas, including initiatives to reduce gun violence, gang intervention services, joint training to strengthen and increase capacity for staff and agencies doing prevention and intervention work, and support for community based events. View the MOU here.
The MOU, which is in effect now through 2025, was signed by Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer.
“During the pandemic we saw significant increases in community violence, including homicides, shootings, and aggravated assaults across the LA Region. This MOU will formalize and focus the ongoing communication and collaboration between LA City and LA County, which is critical for supporting community based prevention, intervention and healing strategies that have greater impact and effectiveness.” Andrea Welsing, Director of the Office of Violence Prevention, Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention
Top Row, (L-R)
Andrea Welsing, Director of the Office of Violence Prevention, Los Angeles County Office of Violence Prevention; Reginald Zachery, Director, Gang Reduction and Youth Development, City of Los Angeles; Anne C. Tremblay, Deputy Chief, Problem Property and Public Protection Division, City of Los Angeles.
Bottom Row, (L-R)
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health; Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer.
OVP is hiring
The LA County Office of Violence Prevention is hiring five temporary staff to coordinate implementation of the Trauma Prevention Partnerships project, funded through the American Rescue Plan. These positions are for approximately 18 months. We are looking for staff who are passionate about helping communities, organized, and ideally, have experience with violence prevention and trauma and healing informed practice. Please share with your networks.
OVP supports the County’s LA vs. Hate Initiative led by the Human Relations Commission in collaboration with community partners.
LA vs Hate is a community-centered creative campaign to encourage and support all residents of Los Angeles County to unite against, report, and resist hate.
If you are the victim, or witness of, a hate incident or hate crime you can report the incident/crime with 211 LA. Your report is confidential and 211 is not affiliated with law enforcement.
OVP Early Implementation Strategic Plan
After extensive review and input, the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) Early Implementation Strategic Plan was adopted by the County Leadership Committee and Community Partnership Council in September 2020. Read more about OVP Early Implementation Strategic Plan here.
The OVP Strategic Plan is a live document and we welcome your ongoing feedback, specifically as it pertains to our priorities, goals, objectives and strategies. Please provide your input by sending an email to ovp@ph.lacounty.gov or email Andrea Welsing, OVP Director, directly at awelsing@ph.lacounty.gov. We hope you will provide your thoughts, comments and recommendations for the Strategic Plan and that you will continue to be part of our violence prevention and healing efforts as we work together to advance strategies to prevent violence and promote healing.
DPH Director's Message on Racism
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director, Dr. Barbara Ferrer,
acknowledges that addressing law enforcement violence and racism are core to public health.
