MCPH distributes countywide multimedia violence prevention communications campaigns (e.g. social media, billboards, small media, radio, gas station pumps, geofencing, clean graffiti, etc.) in a coordinated effort to raise awareness, educate communities, and inspire action to reduce gun violence.

MCPH distributes gun locks in an effort to reduce firearm related injuries and death by reducing unauthorized access. Gun locks are a prevention tool aimed at promoting safety particularly in homes with children and those at increased risk for self harm. 

2023 Progress

Click here to view the full   2023 SOTCH Report

2024 Progress

Gun Lock Safety

In June 2024, the Office of Violence Prevention led a comprehensive Gun Violence Awareness Month campaign, reaching over 1,500 people and distributing 1,140 gun locks to promote gun safety and awareness. The campaign aimed to educate the community on the importance of gun safety, provide resources for secure gun storage, and foster a culture of prevention and responsibility.

In an innovative effort to increase community outreach and share gun violence prevention messaging, the OVP implemented geofencing campaigns in 2024. Geofencing is a virtual boundary around a physical location that prompts action when a cell phone enters or exits the area. These campaigns reached a wide audience through targeted digital advertising, directing community members to the OVP webpage, gun violence prevetion resource directory, and gun safety information. 

Faith In Action 

A newly launched component faith-based communications campaign, Faith In Action, mobilized faith-based communities to participate in gun violence prevention efforts.

• Distribution of 810 pledge cards encouraging community members to commit to safe gun practices and identify specific actions to combat gun violence. These pledges reflected a shared commitment to making a tangible difference in their neighborhoods and highlighted the power of collective action in addressing this critical issue.
• Distribution of 450 fans at community events, featuring messages about gun safety and violence prevention.
• Placement of 9-yard signs in neighborhoods to raise awareness about gun violence

Clean Graffiti 

In 2024, clean graffiti messages of gun violence prevention and awareness were placed at 42 new locations with 25 sites featuring messages in Spanish in eight key Mecklenburg County zip codes: 28202, 28205, 28206, 28208, 28216, 28217, and 28273.   Including placements made in 2023 sustained through 2024, 118 clean graffiti locations were featured throughout Mecklenburg County in 2024.  

Not Another Campaign

The "Not Another" campaign, under the guiding approach "Violence Free Begins with Me," aims to shift individual decisions and behaviors to prevent gun violence. It emphasizes the broad, lasting impacts of violence and carries the message "Not Another" to highlight the need to stop future incidents. Key themes focus on gun violence prevention and gun safety awareness, with the hashtag #violencefreebeginswithme. Various tactics were employed, such social media, digital billboards, tv placements at gas stations, CATS bus and light rail placements, t-shirt distribution and geofencing.