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Horn of Africa Services students urge Seattle to fund school programs and community hubs to curb gun violence
Summary
Students from Horn of Africa Services told the Public Safety Committee their research links gun violence to poverty and retaliation cycles and urged school‑based education and community hubs as city‑level interventions that can reduce shootings and support youth.
"Gun violence is an epidemic in America and Seattle is not immune," Ari Einbinder said during public comment, representing Horn of Africa Services and introducing students who researched gun violence and produced policy briefs for the committee. Students and program representatives described how lived experiences in some neighborhoods drive retaliation cycles and recommended interventions that address root causes — not only enforcement.
Malcolm Mogas told the committee that gun violence is concentrated in lower‑income, immigrant neighborhoods and presented figures the students cited for the city and county: a 66% increase in gun‑violence incidents between 2021 and 2023 and more than 2,800 incidents recorded during that period (as stated by the speaker). The student presenters recommended investments in free skills‑training centers, school‑based gun‑violence education for high schools and local community hubs offering social services, conflict mediation and pathways to employment.
Guy Gabbro, executive director of Horn of Africa Services, thanked the city for three years of support and said the program educates hundreds of families and graduates several youth cohorts who research gun violence and propose community‑rooted solutions. Multiple council members praised the students’ presentations as concise, evidence‑based and authentic and asked staff to consider how the committee can incorporate community‑led proposals into prevention efforts and cross‑departmental work.
The public comment concluded with council members urging staff to continue linking public‑health approaches to public‑safety policy and to consider student recommendations in future prevention planning.
