Topeka group takes action to curb violence

CIVIC Action Planning Meeting Event Details

Editor’s Note: This article originally incorrectly stated that CIVIC was a program of the YWCA of Northeast Kansas. The YWCA sponsors the CIVIC program, but they are two different organizations.

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A local group is trying to reduce violent crime in Topeka and Shawnee County.

The Community Inspired Violence Intervention Coalition (CIVIC) is a program of the YWCA of northeast Kansas. 27 News spoke with Courtland Davis, the YWCA’s director of operations, about the initiative on Friday.

“Violence spreads almost like a virus,” Davis said. “It starts in one area and then spreads from there. It can even jump to other parts of the city. It just takes one thing to lead to the next, which leads to the next.”

Davis says CIVIC’s ultimate goal is to break the cycle of violence. One way to do that is to gather feedback from the community.

“The people most likely to experience violence,” he said, “are also the people who know best how to change those incidents.”

CIVIC has three town hall style events coming up called Action Planning Sessions. All are welcome and the events include prizes, food and activities for all children in attendance. See the flyer below for details.

To learn more about CIVIC, visit the information page on the YWCA website here.

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