Administration

2220 Moorpark Avenue
San lose, California 95128

SANTA CLARA
■cated to the Health

«... .ne Whole Community

VALLGY

Tel.(408)885-4202
Fax.(408)885-4248

H6ALTH & HOSPfTAL SYSTEM

PUBLIC HGALTH
DEPARTMeNT

Prepared by: Dena Dickinso
eputy Director
Public Health Department
Reviewed byiGuadalupe Olivas, PhD, Director
Public Health Department

Submitted byiAnne B. Moses, Deputy Directoy
Valley Health and Hospital
March 24,1997
TO:

Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Robert Sillen, Executive Director, Valley Health and Hospital System

SUBJECT:

Report on Firearm Violence Prevention Educational Symposium

\
— XA^'"

RECOMMENDATION

IS recommended that the Board of Supervisors direct to the Public Health Department to begin working with
the 15 cities in Santa Clara County to develop common strategies for reducing firearm violence tliroughout the
it

County; these strategies would include programs, education, and ordinances.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There will be no impact on the General Fund resulting from this action. The work falls within the scope of the
Violence Prevention Program in the Public Health Department.
CONTRACT HISTORY

Not Applicable.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

The mission of the Public Health Department includes the reduction of injury and death prevention and one
mechanism is mobilizing the community in the area of violence prevention. The Public Health Department
Violence Prevention Program uses the ten initiatives detailed in the 1995 State Attorney General’s Report,
Violence Prevention: A Vision of Hope, as a framework for developing a comprehensive strategy for violence
prevention using the public health approach in Santa Clara County. One of the Initiatives focuses on Fireanns,
^tid recommends strategies including the regulations which control for access and safety and community
mcation. Uniform firearm ordinances in all the cities and the County will provide a consistent approach that
will prevent the movement of dealers from one area to another within the County. Specific ordinances will be
introduced and considered by the Board in the future.
The Public Health Department is a division of the Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System. Owned and operated by the County of Santa Clara.
4-ote

BACKGROUND

The Firearm Violence Prevention Educational Symposium was held on Febmaiy 20,1997 to educate citv

Md county policy makers m Santa Clara County about the increasing incidence ofinjuries and deaths due to^
fire^ m Califorma and across the country. Firearms have become the number one cause ofdeath for youth
the costs ofmedical care for gun related injuries in Santa Clara County

over $13 rnmion, with the majonty ofcosts becoming
ofthe County. In addition there
are toe imquantifiable costs which mclude the emotional tollthetoresponsibility
the families and friends and the loss of
was

productive life due to these injuries and deaths.

The Educational Symposium was planned after convening a large group ofrepresentatives from the community

who are concerned about firearm violence and want to take an active role in working for prevention. The
Commumty Alliance to Prevent and Reduce Firearm Violence included representatives from schools churches

oimmunity organizaUons,advocacy groups,and others. The strategy subcommittee planned the Symposium to

mvolye
leaders from
throughout
Santaof
Clara
County
effort. The Mayors, City Managers Polici Chiefs’
City
Attorneys,
and Council
members
all 15
citiesininthis
Santa Clara County,as well as all ofthe Supervisors

Distact Attorney,and Shenff, were mvited to the Symposium.

ofthe 15 cities were represented at the
Symposium,as was the County and the Offices ofElaine Alquist,Eleven
Barbara Boxer and John Vasconcellos.

Presentations were made on the foUowing topics(see attached agenda): public health approach to firearm
violence. Police Chiefs’ Association’s position on firearm violence control, medical consequences victim
family impact,firearm safety. East Bay Public Safety Corridor experience,and the legal perspective. Several
strategies were suggested by speakers at the Symposium,including community education, increased safety
requirements,and uniform ordinances throughout the jurisdictions in the County. The Strategy Task Force is
coi^tted to continuing to develop these strategies, and the Public Health Department is committed to taking a
lead m org^ng the effort. There was significant interest expressed by the city leaders about participating i
county-wide strategy. Having a uniform approach will be more effective in accomplishing the goals of

in a

reduction in injuries and deaths related to firearms.
CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE AmON

Tfie Public Health Department would not take a lead role in pursuing a county-wide approach to firearm

Violence prevention.

STEPS FOLLOWING APPWOVAT

Please forward two(2)approved copies to SCVHHS Administration.