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Henderson City Council declares gun violence a public health issue and approves resolution
Summary
On June 28, 2022, the Henderson City Council unanimously approved Resolution 22-53 declaring gun violence a public health issue, cited CDC statistics and recent federal action, and highlighted local tools such as a NIBIN ballistic-identification system and upcoming community forums.
The Henderson City Council unanimously approved Resolution 22-53 on June 28, 2022, formally declaring gun violence a public health issue and urging coordinated, evidence-based responses across health providers, law enforcement and community organizations.
City Manager Edward T. Blackmon read the resolution and supporting background at the special called meeting, citing national data and federal action. The resolution text references recent federal legislation (S.2938) and Centers for Disease Control figures, which the manager said show firearm homicide and injury rates are highest among teens and young adults and among Black or African American residents. Blackmon said the city “recognizes that after the Public Safety meeting last week it will take everyone, including government and the prosecutorial system to help decrease this problem.”
The council recorded a unanimous vote to adopt Resolution 22-53. Council Member Melissa Elliott moved approval; Council Member William Burnette seconded. The clerk recorded yes votes from Council Members Marion B. Williams, Sara M. Coffey, William Burnette, Melissa Elliott, Ola Thorpe‑Cooper and Jason A. Spriggs. Council Members Garry D. Daeke and D. Michael Rainey were absent.
Local enforcement and investigative tools were highlighted during the discussion. Police Chief Marcus Barrow described the department’s National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) capability, saying the system analyzes shell casings and sends data to a central repository in Alabama, from which the city typically gets a response “within 24 hours.” Barrow said the system became active in January and has already produced a “slew” of hits; two officers are trained to operate it and he has set a 72‑hour target for processing casings. Council Member Marion B. Williams asked for the explanation to ensure members unfamiliar with the technology understood how it supports investigations.
Blackmon also noted local partnership steps taken before the vote: the city approved appointments of two officers to an ATF/DEA regional task force in 2021 and purchased the NIBIN system in 2020. He described planned community outreach, including Youth Services-hosted forums at the Old Eaton Johnson gym and a final community program at City Hall scheduled for July 7 at 6:00 p.m., and thanked local contributors including Abdul Rashad and Rev. Clayton for input on best practices and proofreading the resolution.
Council Member Sara M. Coffey said she had discussed coordination with the County Manager, who indicated the County Commissioners are prepared to move forward after the forum information is compiled. Mayor Eddie Ellington and other council members expressed support for the resolution and the need for community engagement to address underlying social and economic factors tied to violence.
The council adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
