The Department of Equity and Engagement held a community meeting in Champaign Tuesday to discuss strategies for reducing gun violence.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - The Department of Equity and Engagement held a community meeting in Champaign Tuesday to discuss strategies for reducing gun violence.

Those in attendance broke into small groups to discuss the "gaps" in the city that have allowed increased gun violence to fester.

Citizens and local leaders collaborated to discuss the various ways the city could meet with the community to make improvements, including increasing access to resources and creating safe spaces to share experiences.

Justice Victim Advocate Andre Davis works under the Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint. Davis said the community is "working together" to find a solution to the violence. 

"Everybody is working together for a solution to this problem. And it just shows that they care, and having that care is a requisite for the social change that is required moving forward," Davis said. 

The data and information gathered will be used to help The Blueprint formulate a plan with actionable steps.

Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.