LEXINGTON, Ky. — New information on violence reduction efforts in Lexington. On Tuesday, officials say through the One Lexington program they’ve reached 3,000 young people connecting them to resources. 

What You Need To Know

  • One Lexington uses resources from over 40 community partners who offer support, mentoring, mediation, protection, and more over the past year

  • The program has reached 3,000 young people

  • City leaders said One Lexington has facilitated 15 youth mediations where violence had occurred and served 24 families affected by gun violence since his appointment

  • Mayor Linda Gorton has proposed expanding the One Lexington program next year

 

That’s with the help of over 40 community partners who offer support, mentoring, mediation, protection, and more over the past year.

Devine Carama has been the Director of One Lexington since June 2021.

City leaders said One Lexington has facilitated 15 youth mediations where violence had occurred and served 24 families affected by gun violence since his appointment.

Mayor Linda Gorton said overall the rate of violent crime is down 1.7% compared to this time last year.

“Our homicides have been leveling off, and our violent crime is gradually improving. The rate of shootings has slowed and gun-related homicides. Let me say that again. Gun-related homicides are down to seven from 14 at this point last year, a 50% decrease,” Gorton said.

According to data from the CDC and Lexington Police, homicides per 100,000 people rose by four from 2018 to 2021. But that rise was less than half of the next lowest city in the region, identified as Indianapolis.

Louisville had the biggest 3-year jump, seeing 17 more homicides per capita.

Lexington is banking on what it calls the PIER model as part of One Lexington to reduce gun violence. Initially, it started in 2017.

The complete city approach focuses on prevention services to stop violence from taking place beforehand but also responding and intervening as necessary. It stands for prevention, intervention enforcement and re-entry.

“Two weeks ago we celebrated the 2-year anniversary of the passing of our daughter, Kamaria, and so I really got a different take on supporting our victims and their loved ones and so all the victims of gun violence and their families are heavy on my heart today,” Carama said.

Lexington is focused on providing resources for kids, at-risk families and anyone who may be involved in violence. Through the mentoring program, It Takes a Village, Fayette County Public School leaders said the platform has impacted young students who could witness violence.

Jamarlon Griffin, 13, shared his experience in city government. He said One Lexington’s mentoring program has left an impact on his life.

“I don’t want anybody to have to deal with the gossip and violence to where they can get killed or seriously hurt or wounded, and I just don’t want that,” Griffin said.

He said those words because he’s lived it being only in the 7th grade.

“A 10-year-old that I know, he was my cousin, he died from a gunshot,” Griffin said.

That incident left a mark on Jamarlon.

“Emotionally, I felt bad for my cousin because it was mainly hurt. She was running really a lot lately and I just didn’t want her to have to go through her losing her stepbrother and a lot of things,” Griffin said.

One Lexington’s mentoring program inspired Jamarlon giving him an outlet. He’s participated for 24 weeks.

“I felt real bad for my family and everyone else that had to go through the like the sad things that happened,” Griffin said. “And I’m like, I want to change that to where like, there is no shootings and like it’s more safer for kids.”

Mayor Gorton has proposed expanding the One Lexington program next year. 

Related Stories