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OSHN is Now OVP!
The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods has been renamed the Office of Violence Prevention
The new name better describes what this office does and better clarifies its purpose.
“Our new name is relatable, actionable and we believe people will better understand the goal of our office,” said James Tatum, interim director.
So, while we loved saying we were "OSHN", we are just as excited to call ourselves - the "OVP!"
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“Safe Louisville” is the City’s New, Aggressive Plan to Reduce Local Violence
The Office of Violence Prevention will be squarely involved in the city’s ambitious plan to reduce local violence by 15 percent yearly from now to the year 2030.
The plan will focus on prevention, intervention, and enforcement. Please read the plan and watch the video of the press conference that trumpeted its local implementation.
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The YES! Gala Capped a Week of Youth Awareness
The YES! Gala last month capped a week of robust, youth-planned activities and events during Louisville’s 2025 “National Youth Violence Prevention Week.”
The gala was attended by community, business and government officials focused on youth issues. It celebrated those who have done the hard work of bringing transformational change to local youth who need that attention and helped to showcase the excitement of and needs for youth inclusion in all areas of society.
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Jerome Williams is the data analyst with the Office of Violence Prevention’s Data Innovations and Special Projects division. Fundamentally, he is responsible for helping develop and administer human research surveys that capture unseen local patterns, trends, and opinions which scope community safety.
Coming to OVP offered the Harlan, Ky. native a definitive shift in a career that started in corrections. Holding a master’s degree in criminology and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, both from Eastern Kentucky University, he started his career at the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) where he worked directly with imprisoned individuals and then eventually worked in developing employee retention strategies at three separate correctional facilities.
“My work in corrections helped me comprehend the barriers our society faces in addressing the consequences of harmful actions committed by others. My journey with IDOC broadened the scope of my experience.”
At OVP, he uses predictive analytics to forecast crime trends and identify areas where resources should be focused to prevent crime.
“The role of Data Analyst is crucial in finding solutions to effective gun violence prevention strategies," he said. “It is satisfying to meet and serve as a platform for the residents living in Louisville. It is my goal to support efforts in reducing gun violence by surveying community members and OVP clients and developing research instruments made to measure how we will continue to progress.”
His job includes ensuring data accuracy, handling datasets and effectively communicating the findings to non-technical stakeholders.
“The most rewarding part of this role occurs after successfully accomplishing a directive. OVP coordinates and responds to events with a positive and supportive culture. In aiming to reduce gun violence, OVP represents the change that we want to see in creating and maintaining safe and healthy neighborhoods.”
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SHAWNEE Residents - Ready. Set. GO!
Residents in the Shawnee neighborhood now have the chance to really show how much they love their block! Thanks to the Bloomberg Philanthropies, residents can apply for mini grants to financially support those residents who want to personally develop a Shawnee neighborhood environmental improvement project. Homeowners and renters can apply for grants from $100-$4,000 that can be used in typical and unique ways: Clear liter, start a community garden, plant greenery, paint/wash buildings, buy food for volunteers, install an art mural – go wild, Shawnee!
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Local Anti-Violence Coalitions meet monthly in the Russell, Shawnee, Smoketown, Newburg, Parkhill, Portland, Taylor-Berry, Algonquin, and St. Dennis neighborhoods.
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OVP Events & Opportunities |
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Taylor Berry Neighborhood Networking Connection
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
6:00-7:30pm
Location: South Louisville Community Center, 2911 Taylor Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40208
The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), formerly known as Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, would like to invite you to be a part of the April Neighborhood Networking Connection in the Taylor Berry Neighborhood. This event is an essential discussion on youth, gun violence prevention and community initiatives. Please register and get updated on what is being done to create a safer, and even more supportive community. Louisville’s holistic approach involves education, mental health, and community engagement. Please join this discussion for creating more resilient neighborhoods for everyone.
Registration is required.
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News Related To Gun Violence |
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Exposure to gun violence can severely impact one's mental health, often leading to depression, suicidal ideation and increased need for mental health support and resources, according to a Rutgers Health study.
The recent study was published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.
A national survey of 8,009 non-institutionalized people older than 18 participated in an online-based panel that examined the relationship between gun violence exposure and mental health, including suicide. The study outlined both lifetime and past year exposure to gun violence and the association it has with increased depression and suicide risks.
"This is the first study using nationally representative data that demonstrates a link between exposure to gun violence and suicide," said lead author Daniel Semenza, director of research at the New Jersey Gun Violence Research Center and assistant professor at the Department of Urban-Global Public Health at the Rutgers School of Public Health and in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice at Rutgers University.
"When we think about what we can do to improve suicide prevention efforts, we have to include interpersonal violence prevention in the conversation."
Nearly 40% of participants reported hearing gunshots multiple times throughout their lives. Overall, 12% of the participants said they experienced high exposure to gun violence, with five or more incidents throughout their lives, while about 27% said they had heard a gunshot within the past year alone.
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Where Gun Violence is Happening in Our City |
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The Office of Violence Prevention is always looking for community spaces to host our events.
If you know of a community space please email The Reimagine Network.
reimagine@louisvilleky.gov
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OVP’s mission is to reduce the risk of violence in all of Louisville’s communities. If you have an event or festival that we can table and share what the city is doing to holistically reduce violence and how it affects you and our community - We Want to Come! Please fill out our tabling request form or go to the website at Office of Violence Prevention | LouisvilleKY.gov We’ll look forwarding to meeting you!
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There is great work happening here in the Office for Violence Prevention (OVP), and most importantly, in our community. It is our goal to keep you engaged and co-leading our important work. Our vision for Louisville is a city of safe neighborhoods where everyone is supported, free of violence, and prepared for lifelong success. We can only achieve this together, so stay connected with our monthly newsletters, social media, and visit our website for more information and additional calls to action. |
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View any past OVP Newsletter!
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We would love your feedback. If you have questions or concerns regarding our newsletter, or have a related event that you would like to communicate with our networks, contact the Reimagine Network.
Take care of each other,
The Reimagine Network
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Office of Violence Prevention
908 W Broadway, 5th Floor, Louisville, KY 40203 | Phone: 502-574-6949
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