BGSU partners with city of Toledo on $2M grant to combat gun violence

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University researchers are partnering with the city of Toledo to strengthen community-based violence prevention programs as part of a $2 million federal grant to combat gun violence.

During the three-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, BGSU researchers will evaluate existing program initiatives to better align efforts with evidence-based violence intervention and prevention services.

Dr. Nichole Fifer, director of the BGSU Center for Regional Development (CRD), will lead the project for the University, which is supported by a $250,000 subaward from the Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) site-based grant.

“This project has the potential to create a significant impact across our region and beyond as we build upon the strengths of these community-based organizations to combat gun violence,” Fifer said. “Partnering with the city of Toledo on this significant initiative underscores the University’s steadfast commitment to creating public good in Ohio and nationwide.”

Although the project is in its early stages, Fifer said the team is finalizing plans to collaborate with peer cities, such as Cleveland, Baltimore and Washington, to exchange insights and develop best-practice models based on shared experiences, further broadening its impact.

Dr. Justin Rex, associate professor of political science and BGSU CRD research fellow, and Dr. Meagan Docherty, an assistant psychology professor specializing in aggressive behavior and attitude development, are lending their expertise to the project.

Docherty will share recent findings as part of the study at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, at the main branch of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. Presented by the BGSU Institute for the Study of Culture and Society, the free, public presentation will offer insight on community sentiment around gun violence, explore prevention strategies and highlight support systems for survivors and victims’ families.

As an applied research center, the BGSU CRD specializes in action research, ensuring inclusive and collaborative decision-making and planning. For this project, Fifer and the BGSU team will conduct a comprehensive landscape analysis to examine Toledo's current violence intervention programs.

Based on those findings, BGSU will collaborate with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), which is administering the overall grant project, on curriculum development, community engagement and program evaluation.

"We are grateful for the partnership with BGSU," said Malcolm Cunningham, director of MONSE. "Long before this collaboration, Dr. Docherty and the BGSU CRD team committed to supporting community-based efforts that improve wellbeing and save lives. This partnership only expands their longstanding work; their expertise and academic rigor strengthen the city's efforts to address violence's root causes."