Monday, July 17, 2023–9:33 a.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

With Rome Police responding to more than 30 ‘shots fired’ calls so far this year, the Rome City Commission is seeking to address the issue of gun violence in the community.

A community discussion on gun violence will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Rome City Auditorium.

“We still live in a community where anytime there is an actual killing or murder we are all pretty much shocked,” said Rome City Manager Sammy Rich. “I’m thankful for that because we never want to be the community that has become so numb that it is normal. I don’t know what’s going on this year, but we have had an abnormal amount of crime, specifically gun violence.”

According to Rich, Mayor Sundai Stevenson has put together a panel for the discussion.

“Our own Doug Walker will serve as the moderator,” Rich said. “Of course, Mayor Stevenson is going to participate, but there will be others like Principal Parke Wilkinson from Rome High School, Rev. Derrick McDaniel, Rome Police Chief Denise Downer McKinney, and Mr. Tay Coley. We’re trying to get some different perspectives. I think what the mayor envisions is a chance to have a conversation and a chance to hear from some folks that have really been impacted.”

Rich said he doesn’t see gun violence as a police issue but rather as a community issue.

“Quite frankly, we could have a police officer on every corner of every street, but if someone wants to kill, there are just going to do that,” he explained. “There’s really nothing we can do. We can’t make want to behave and do the right thing, but I think, as a community, we have to start having the conversation. We need to talk about where we are going wrong and what is leading to this. Are there some things that we need to be working on? It’s like we all think, it starts early and it starts at home.”

Once again, Tuesday’s community discussion on gun violence begins at 6 p.m. at the Rome City Auditorium.

Rich was a recent guest on WRGA’s First News with Tony McIntosh.