Delaware State University Preparing for First Community Violence Summit

(DOVER, Del) – Delaware State University and other groups are preparing to host over a hundred people to discuss and tackle violence in Kent County.

For people like Cammerin Norwood, and Kaligah Parker, their lives are shaped by violence that’s taken loved ones from them.

“My whole life’s been impacted by the community violence. Though I have a lot of friends who passed away and died by gun violence. I spent time in prison through all of this stuff,” says Cammerin.

While Kaligah says, “In 2021, my best friend was actually gunned down. So I’ve been a big advocate for it. Because I lost not only my best friend, multiple family members and friends to the violence.”

That’s why Delaware State University, in partnership with End Community Violence Now, are preparing for the first time to host a community violence summit with the Delaware Department of Justice.

“It’s very important. And so we talk often to legislators who have been very instrumental in passing lifesaving, common sense gun policy. But there’s always more that we can be doing,” says End Community Violence Now Executive Director, Lauren Footman.

The summit comes as Dover experiences an increase in crime since 2020. The opposite of the national trend of crime decreasing.

By hearing the stories of people like Cammerin and Kaligah, they’re hoping that it can possibly influence policy in Delaware.

Lauren tells us, “One of the things that we talk about is behind every data point that is a life lost potentially or a life forever altered or community forever altered.”

Organizers are expecting over 150 people for this first-time summit Tuesday, they’re hoping the stories told won’t have to go far from the campus of Delaware State University. With the hopes they end up just down the road at Legislative Hall.