Together We End Gun Violence: Eleuthera Lisch Discusses Holistic Public Safety on The Pop-Up!
Last week, Eleuthera Lisch, Director of the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention (ROVGP), joined host Omari Salisbury on The Pop-Up! to discuss the county’s evolving strategies during Together We End Gun Violence Week.
Appearing alongside the Office’s Community Engagement Specialist Deaunte Damper and Communications Lead Ariana Donaville, Lisch detailed how King County is shifting toward a public health-centered approach to address what she described as a "disease" affecting the region.
A Public Health Lens on Gun Violence
Lisch explained that the ROVGP operates as an extension of Public Health — Seattle & King County, utilizing a model that views violence as a contagion. This approach involves identifying "upstream" risk factors, such as racism, poverty, and displacement, and implementing protective factors like education and housing.
"When we talk about violence, we often talk about it as a disease so that we can destigmatize it and treat it and help people get well," Lisch said. She emphasized that while traditional law enforcement remains a component, the office is heavily testing community-led public safety efforts. "If gun violence is a disease, the community is the cure," she said.
Proven Impact in Kent
During the broadcast, Lisch shared data regarding the office's impact in the city of Kent, Washington. Through a partnership with Community Passageways, the county provided "safe passage" staffing at identified hotspots, including the Kent Transit Center and Kent Meridian High School.
The results were stark. Between June and December of last year, there were zero 911 calls or incidents in those specific locations while the organization was on the ground, Lisch said. Overall gun violence in Kent saw a significant reduction last year.
The Human Toll and Resource Challenges
Despite the positive trends in certain areas, the episode began on a somber note following the shooting death of a 16-year-old in Federal Way. Lisch acknowledged the "portal of loss" that opens with every incident, noting that gun injuries became the leading cause of death for U.S. children and teens starting in 2020.
Lisch also highlighted the significant barriers to sustaining this work, specifically citing the volatility of funding. She noted that billions in federal funding for holistic safety vanished following changes in administration, and both state and local budgets have faced recent challenges.
"The hardest thing we're ever facing is being resource-rich enough to sustain the work," Lisch said. "Community contribution to public safety is not as old as traditional work... we have something in its infancy versus very mature systems".
A Call for Community Action
The program concluded with a call for residents to connect with available resources. Lisch and her team highlighted several immediate opportunities for community involvement:
Support Networks: A first-of-its-kind men’s group for those who have lost loved ones to gun violence, meeting the last Monday of every month.
Resource Navigation: A community-based resource guide to help survivors navigate restoration services.
Reflecting on the heavy nature of the work, Lisch maintained that hope remains the primary driver for her team.
"It comes from a much deeper place than a paycheck or a title," she said. "We owe and are giving to it because it's called all of us.”
Tune in to The Pop-Up! weeknights at 9 p.m. on the Converge Media YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@ConvergeMedia.
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