Sussex County community united against gun violence

Laurel, Del. – State legislators, Laurel police and community members came together to address and outline a path to reduce gun violence in Sussex County on Friday.

End Community Violence Now and Operation West Laurel are focusing on ending gun violence through strategic partnerships between community leaders, educators, state legislators, and police. At Friday’s press conference the groups unveiled two murals honoring Laurel High School seniors Kyle Robinson and Corey Mumford, who both lost their lives to gun violence in 2023.

Organizers also introduced a new community garden they say will help address environmental contributors to violence by boosting connectivity.

“When you know the people in your community, that personal connection really allows you to really lend that helping hand,” ECVN Executive Director Dr. Lauren J. Footman said.

Cammerin Norwood is the executive director and founder of Our ROOTS (Reclaiming Our Own Through Support) Foundation, a nonprofit focused on outreach and violence prevention through connection with local youth. He said that by speaking with youth and knowing their families and communities, they are able to connect with them in a “genuine way” because he can relate to many of their expererinces.

“We don’t have the trust barrier that many other organizations would have,” Norwood said.

For Laurel Police Department Chief Robert Kracyla, the collaboration is key to keeping the community safer.

“That community collaboration is critical to success in the community,” Kracyla said. “When we come together as one, we’re able to go ahead and as a united front, go ahead and attack the violence problems that exist in our communities and and in other communities.”