Read more: Cumberland first in state to declare gun safety month
“An increase in gun violence this decade has led Cumberland County to designate a Gun Safety and Violence Awareness Month.
The move makes the county the first in the state to do so, and is spearheaded by the Cumberland County Positive Youth Development Coalition, according to a news release.
The initiative includes a Boys & Girls Club-produced educational video about gun violence and safety for each municipality, as well as a request for each city to also declare June gun violence month.
Now the county has jumped on board with a resolution.
“The County Board of Freeholders is proud to support the CCPYDC Gun Safety and Violence Awareness Month initiative,” Freeholder Director Joseph Derella said. “This is just one example of the positive impact that CCPYDC has made over the past several years in our county.”
Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly said he hoped the state would follow suit.
“Hopefully someday New Jersey will join New York and become the second state in the country to recognize June as Gun Safety and Violence Awareness Month,” Kelly said.
Additionally, the coalition worked with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office to develop a gun safety education curriculum for youth, the release said.
The youth coalition is also hosting a Gun Safety Awareness Video PSA Contest with high school students at all five high schools in Cumberland County, according to the release.
The PSA contest will culminate with a “Stand Up For Gun Safety” event on June 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cumberland County College Luciano Center.”