Omaha 360: How One City Reduced Gun Violence by 50 percent

In 2009, 246 people were victims of gun violence in Omaha, Nebraska. In 2022, that number was 121, reflective of a steady decline over more than a decade. That reduction in gun violence was the result of the work of Omaha 360, a persistent and consistent effort by organizations and leaders across the city who come together every week to share data, coordinate strategies, and respond to community needs. This work is paired with youth engagement, reentry services, and engagement with law enforcement agencies-supporting violence prevention from every angle.\r\n\r\nWillie Barney founded Omaha 360 through his work with the Empowerment Network, a community building initiative that has grown from an idea into a broad community-wide collaborative supporting efforts in education, workforce development, and housing. Douglas County, Nebraska\'s Sheriff\'s office was a key partner to the effort. Wayne Hudson--now Chief of Police in Shaker--helped to lead and support the work.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, municipalities across Cuyahoga County have long sought to reduce gun violence. Recent years have seen emergency departments consistently reporting more than 300 gunshot wounds each year. And in 2025, County Executive Chris Ronayne appointed Myesha Watkins administrator of the county\'s Office of Violence Prevention, and the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas has recently created a new Violence Intervention Program.