Philly's taking a shot at curbing gun violence and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) together with the Quaker City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority are locking in on the issue with a summit aimed at reducing street-level shootouts and ramping up community safety.

The “Put Them Jawns Down” Gun Violence Summit set for Tuesday at Venice Island Performance Arts and Recreation Center, will throw the city's top brass into the fray including Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, and the city's Black Male Engagement Office Director Abu Edwards, these stakeholders will be joined by legal eagle and gunshot survivor Kevin Harden with G. Lamar Stewart, DA's external engagement chief, steering the panel discussions, according to the City of Philadelphia.

With a glimmer of hope in the fight against homicides, the PCHR acknowledges there's a long road ahead, the hefty price paid in lives cut short has sparked a response from city officials and civic groups alike. Kia Ghee, PCHR's Executive Director, said in a statement that "Every life lost to senseless gun violence is a tragedy that causes immense suffering and loss," with a clarion call for Philadelphians to band together to nurture communities that are not just safe, but also places where the young can flourish.

The summit is more than a one-off; it's the launching pad for a weeklong campaign loaded with awareness drives and assistance for conflict resolution and victim support the city's human relations agency is banking on its outreach capability and a suite of dispute resolution services to teach residents non-violent dispute resolution, they offer mediation services for conflicts that are pre-court and non-violent, as per the City of Philadelphia.

For more details on the upcoming summit and the PCHR's mission to counter gun violence and discrimination while fostering strong neighborhood ties, visit phila.gov/humanrelations.