Casper leaders back joining international "Peace in Our Cities" network to coordinate violence‑prevention work

Casper city staff and public‑health officials asked the City Council to join Peace in Our Cities, a voluntary global network of local governments and civil‑society partners that offers technical support, peer exchanges and small grants for coordinated violence‑prevention and community‑wellness strategies. The council agreed to move forward and asked staff to prepare a statement/resolution for formal consideration.

Anna Kinder, director of the Natrona County/Casper Health Department, and Jai (a task‑force co‑facilitator) presented results of a recent community assessment and the work of a local Chona Wellness Task Force. Kinder told the council that the task force had identified suicide, violence, bullying and mental‑health access as the priority concerns and recommended joining the network to access evidence‑based practices and coordination tools.

“Suicide and violence are the leading causes of premature death,” Kinder said, describing the task force’s focus on prevention, upstream interventions and coordinating existing community resources rather than replacing them. She said the local task force wants to reduce duplication across nonprofits and public agencies and to map programs so residents and partners can see shared goals and services.

Jai described Peace in Our Cities as a free, voluntary network that currently includes more than two dozen cities and partner organizations. He said network services include tailored expert support, peer exchanges, webinars and a small Peace Incentive Fund that can provide seed grants. Examples from other member cities included Edmonton’s city‑level safety strategy and international programs that combine youth engagement, vocational support and conflict‑resolution practice.

Councilors asked how membership would affect staff time and budgets. Kinder and Jai said joining the network itself carries no fee and that participation is voluntary; they said the city could join with the health department and other partners. Kinder said the health department already is pursuing short‑term funding for two community health workers and that many local agencies already participate in related coalitions (youth mental‑health collective, Natrona County Council for Safety and Justice). Several councilors urged the city to take a leadership step so the community can access network resources.

Several councilors expressed urgency and support. Council members and staff proposed a short next step: staff will prepare a resolution or short statement committing Casper to explore network membership and describing the council’s goals for coordinated violence prevention. The city manager said staff would prepare draft language and return with timing options for council action.

Ending: The council gave direction to pursue membership steps, ask staff to prepare a resolution and continue coordination with the health department and task force.