A Town Hall on Gun Violence is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.
The free public event, conducted by Salem Reporter, will be at the Elsinore Theatre in downtown Salem.
As a report last fall noted, Salem has been experiencing a surge in shootings. In particular, authorities said, the involvement of young people has been increasing. They are both aggressors and victims.
In recent weeks, a young man was found shot to death as he sat in the front seat of his car.
Three people were rushed to the hospital after gunfire in an east Salem parking lot.
At a northeast Salem bar, two men involved in a fight fired off several rounds from a gun. One person was wounded.
Officials say innocent people are suffering – relatives summoned to the emergency room, families grieving at funerals, and residents in neighborhoods listening to late-night gun play.
Salem Mayor Chris Hoy and Police Chief Trevor Womack have been working up strategies to address the public safety risk.
“This Town Hall will give citizens a chance to learn the facts about this violence,” said Les Zaitz, Salem Reporter editor. “But we’re also expecting to tease out solutions and how residents themselves can be active in making Salem safer.”
Here are details on the Town Hall:
DATE AND TIME: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. Doors open at 5 p.m.
LOCATION: Elsinore Theatre, 170 High St. S.E.
FREE TICKETS: Get them online for admission.
SPANISH: Real-time interpretation into Spanish will be provided; limited headsets will be available for loan at the event.
QUESTIONS: Submit yours in advance by email to Managing Editor Rachel Alexander ([email protected]). Written questions will be taken at the event, with MEChA Club students from North Salem High School serving as runners.
PANEL:
•Police Chief Trevor Womack – Salem Police Department
•Kenny Ramirez, Security Field Coordinator, Salem-Keizer School District
•Troy Gregg – director, Marion County Juvenile Dept.
•Lynn Takata – board chair, Northeast Neighbors
•Levi Herrera-Lopez – executive director, Mano a Mano
•Moderator: Les Zaitz of Salem Reporter
BROADCAST: Capital Community Media will broadcast the event live on Channel 21 and stream online on this Youtube link.
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