The White House contacted ABC11 on Monday to discuss gun violence and the solutions that administration officials say are effective.
The FBI’s latest data reflects this
They indicate that violent crime and property crime in North Carolina have reduced by 15% over the last decade, spanning three presidential administrations. However, many similar crimes go unreported and are not included in the statistics. That is frequently the case in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods.
“That’s a graduation instead of a funeral, a birthday party instead of a hospital visit, a baby shower instead of going to the cemetery, and I believe that’s something we should focus on every day,” said Greg Jackson, deputy director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
The office was established a year ago
Jackson referenced FBI statistics. He stated that killings have decreased dramatically nationwide, particularly in recent years. However, it is crucial to note that the FBI collects statistics through its Uniform Crime Reporting Program, which does not include all law enforcement agencies in the United States.
Jackson attributed much of the decline to $15 billion in American Rescue Plan funds allocated to police enforcement, crime intelligence, and community-based programs.
Another $1 billion was allocated to victims’ services, ensuring that damaged families have greater resources to heal and recover.
“We have seen the steepest decline concentrated in inner cities and those neighborhoods most tragically impacted by this,” Jackson told the audience. “This is something we’ve seen and encouraged by from New Orleans to Greensboro — some of the communities devastated the most historically.”
Jackson was shot in Washington, DC, in 2013, and says that when there is violence on the street, nothing seems to work.
He also referenced “Boots on the Ground” in Raleigh and “Bull City United,” two violent intervention organizations that have received government funding to prevent violence before it occurs.
Jackson stated that finding solutions to the current public health crisis must be pursued with the same urgency as before.