Evansville commissioners say gun-violence resolution will return after edits

The Evansville Commission for the Social Status of African American Males on Sept. 26 discussed a draft resolution on preventing gun violence that the Human Relations Commission reviewed but did not vote on. The commission was told the Human Relations Commission recommended adding language that situates gun violence in the historical context of housing discrimination and segregation in city centers. The item will appear on the commission's agenda next month after the recommended edits are included. Commissioners and staff described the proposed addition as an effort to examine how concentrated population patterns and historic segregation intersect with levels of gun violence in particular neighborhoods. A staff member said the Human Relations Commission sought language that would reflect that historical perspective and the commission's conversation focused on ensuring the resolution's wording "is befitting to all people groups in Evansville." No vote or formal adoption occurred at the Sept. 26 meeting; the draft remains under review and the commission expects to see the revised draft at its next monthly meeting. Commissioners said they plan to compare the earlier draft with the revised version when it is posted so they can track changes and, if warranted, express support or concerns before any final action. The discussion followed a presentation to the Human Relations Commission the previous day. Commissioners also noted the value of clarifying data sources and demographic context when interpreting concentrations of reported incidents, and said they want future drafts to reflect that context. The commission did not adopt any formal resolution or directive on Sept. 26.