On January 24th, the San Antonio City Council received a briefing on the Violence Prevention Strategic Plan, a collaborative effort aimed at curbing violence in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. The plan, developed by the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District in partnership with the San Antonio Police Department, St. John’s Baptist Church, and the University of Texas at San Antonio, focuses on evidence-based strategies to prevent violence.
The vision of the plan is to proactively address and prevent violence before it occurs. Councilwoman Teri Castillo, Chair of the Community Health Committee, emphasized the importance of tackling fundamental issues that may influence criminal behavior.
“As Chair of the Community Health Committee, a chief priority and focus is recognizing that public safety is most effective when we begin to tackle fundamental issues that may influence criminal behavior,” Councilwoman Teri Castillo said. “As a City, we must continue to take a comprehensive approach to reduce violence from a public health perspective through established programs like Stand Up SA, establishing trauma informed practices for people involved in the justice system, and expanding mental health support for all of San Antonio – especially our youth.”
The Violence Prevention Strategic Plan is an integral part of the City's comprehensive public health program and is connected to Metro Health’s five-year SA Forward Plan. This broader plan addresses key priority areas, including violence prevention, access to care, data and technology infrastructure, food insecurity and nutrition, health equity and social justice, and mental health and community resilience. The collaborative approach aims to provide a roadmap for the community, utilizing a range of strategies to promote public safety and well-being.
