The Saint Louis Board of Aldermen on Friday enbanked Resolution 116, recognizing the 2025 Be SMART ("SmartWeek") campaign and encouraging secure firearm storage and safety conversations as children return to school.

Peggy Newfield, identified on the record as co‑lead for Be SMART in Saint Louis, presented the campaign’s message and cited national and local statistics during an opening reflection. Newfield told the board that firearms are the leading cause of death among children in the United States and cited CDC 2023 statistics, saying that is "an average of 7 children every day." She also cited other figures presented to the board: that "44 percent of child suicides involve a gun," gun suicides have high fatality rates and that nationally "more than 17,000 children receive injuries from shootings." Newfield also referenced local reporting, saying the St. Louis Post‑Dispatch recorded 45 shootings of youth in the city this year as of Sept. 3, with 20 fatalities and three victims under age 5.

The resolution text praises Be SMART, a program developed by the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, and directs the clerk to spread the resolution across the minutes. Alderwoman Shamim Clark Hubbard introduced the resolution on the floor; a motion to "enbank" the resolution — which on the board means all members sign on as cosponsors — was made by the Alderman from the Eleventh Ward and seconded from the Thirteenth Ward. The board signified its support and the resolution was enbanked.

Board members spoke in support on the floor. One member said the campaign’s message "impacts people's lives continuously" and urged more sustained gun prevention education. The clerk recorded the action on the floor as an enbanking of Resolution 116; no funding appropriation or regulatory action was authorized by the resolution itself.

The resolution and the presentation on the floor framed secure gun storage, safety conversations and community outreach as public‑health measures and encouraged residents and institutions to promote the Be SMART practices.