KING COUNTY, Wash. — King County is forming its own Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention as Seattle continues to deal with a record homicide pace.
Executive Dow Constantine announced the launch of the office in partnership with Public Health - Seattle and King County at an event Tuesday.
“The pain of gun violence is all too familiar, and too many of our friends, family and neighbors are facing this preventable tragedy every day," Constantine said in a release. "Whether it’s a headline from around the country, or right here where we live, work and play, every act of gun violence is something we can stop from happening, but only if we work together. Our new office will connect us with the federal resources of the White House, serve as a hub for the region, and expand our local initiatives to ensure every community in King County can be safe from gun violence.”
The new office also will coordinate with the White House's recently announced Office of Gun Violence Prevention, according to Constantine.
In addition to advancing current projects in the region, the office will expand Community Violence Intervention services to Kent, Burien and Skyway next year.
As of Oct. 17, Seattle has recorded 64 homicides. Already a double-digit increase from 2022 (Seattle had 52 homicides last year) the city is on pace to surpass the record of 69 homicides in 1994.
“The Alliance for Gun Responsibility proudly supports this important step in formalizing a Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention,” said Renee Hopkins, the CEO of Alliance for Gun Responsibility.
According to Alliance for Gun Responsibility, someone is killed by a gun every 10 hours in Washington state.
The nonprofit said gun violence has been the leading cause of death of children and teens for the last two years. For more data regarding gun violence in Washington, click here.