Everyone knows there’s a problem with gun violence in Guilford County, but an eye-opening new study from the Guilford County Division of Public Health shows just how bad the problem is getting, that the trend is going in the wrong direction, and that the problem is greater in Guilford County than in other similarly sized counties in the state.
Every four years, the Guilford County Division of Public Health works with residents, community partners and healthcare providers to conduct a major and extensive report of the health of the community and the problems facing it. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the county’s public health officials released their 2023-2024 Community Health Assessment – titled “Our Community. Our Health.”
The statistics in it show that Guilford County has a massive gun violence problem that surpasses the problem of similarly situated counties in the state.
The study uses a range of research tools and collected data to aggregate information regarding the health needs, challenges, resources and strengths in Guilford County, and it provides analysis intended to guide the county’s efforts in improving the health and well-being of residents.
Guilford County experienced a total of 2,612 incidents of violent crime in 2023, with 1,581 – about 60 percent – involving firearms that year. Those incidents include 1,384 aggravated assaults, 81 homicides, 41 suicides and 75 accidental shootings.
One suggested strategy to address the problem is community-driven intervention in key at-risk areas to help reduce disparities and foster an environment of long-term safety and stability.
The homicide mortality rate in Guilford County has steadily risen over the past several years, with a significant increase from 9.6 deaths per 100,000 population in 2018 to 11.5 in 2019, followed by a rise to 13.5 in 2020. As of 2021, this rate remained unchanged at 13.5 deaths per 100,000.
The report notes that this disturbing trend underscores the growing concern regarding violent crime and community safety in Guilford County.
The new study also points out that much of the gun violence in the county is preventable and adds that, beyond the immediate physical harm, firearm violence leaves lasting psychological effects on survivors and witnesses – which increases the risk of anxiety, depression and PTSD.
Also, the health assessment notes, exposure to gun violence at an early age often leads to traumatic childhood experiences that have long-term adverse effects on mental health and social outcomes.
The widespread extent of gun violence in Guilford County is also a major economic burden since gun violence taxes healthcare systems and law enforcement, and it hurts the local economy as well. There are costs associated with medical care, legal proceedings and law enforcement responses – which all put a strain on county resources.
In addition, affected neighborhoods often see declining property values and fewer businesses locating there.
Additionally, the report notes, gun violence disproportionately impacts certain populations based on factors such as race, age, gender and socio-economic status.
The health assessment reveals that “Men experience a significantly higher homicide mortality rate of approximately 11.8 deaths per 100,000 population, compared to 4.0 for women.”
Also, the homicide rate for Black people is over seven times greater than that for White people in the county.
Of the 313 reported homicide deaths, 83.7 percent involved firearms, which, the report states, highlights an urgent need for interventions aimed at reducing firearm violence.
“The significant disparity in the homicide mortality rate among Black men,” it reads, “emphasizes the need for health equity-focused approaches to reduce community violence. This requires collaboration and engagement within communities that are disproportionately affected by violence and its lasting impacts. By prioritizing these efforts, we can work towards more equitable outcomes and foster safer communities in Guilford County.”
The report addresses gun-related suicide trends in Guilford County as well.
From 2017 to 2021, a total of 303 suicide deaths were reported, with just over half – 55 percent to be exact – involving firearms.
“The [suicide] mortality rates in Guilford County have fluctuated over the years, showing an unstable trend,” it reads. “As of 2021, the county’s rate stands at 13.8 per 100,000 population, slightly exceeding the targets set by the state’s Healthy North Carolina 2030 initiative. This indicates a need for continued focus on mental health resources and intervention strategies to effectively address the root causes and risk factors associated with suicide death.”
The county health assessment reveals that the suicide mortality rate for men in Guilford County is roughly five times higher than that for women.
Also, the rate of suicide for White people in Guilford County is about three times higher than that of Black people.
The report states, “This underscores the urgent need to promote safe firearm ownership, responsible storage and proper usage, as well as reducing access to lethal means. Firearms are the most lethal of suicide methods, and continue to be the one of the most common methods used in suicide attempts. Educating families, communities, and organizations about safe storage practices and limiting access to lethal means is crucial for saving lives.”
The homicide mortality rate of 11.8 per 100,000 population in Guilford County, the study notes, surpasses that of all comparison counties and exceeds the state average.
“This comparison not only reflects the conditions within the local community but also emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies that will enhance safety measures,” it states. “Moreover, the significantly lower homicide rates in peer counties are encouraging, demonstrating that community safety and secure neighborhoods are achievable goals within our state.”
The suicide mortality rate in Guilford County surpasses that of three out of four similar North Carolina counties that the county was compared with, including Wake, Durham and Mecklenburg counties.
In addition to the prevalent and growing threat from gun violence in Guilford County, the four-year study identified several other areas of concern:
- Maternal and Child Health
- Behavioral Health
- Sexually Transmitted Infections,
- Access to Health Care and Healthy Eating and Active Living.
You can read the entire Community Health Assessment at HealthyGuilford.com.
Interim Guilford County Public Health Director Anita Ramachandran commented upon the release of the report: “Our commitment to public health is grounded in understanding the needs of Guilford County residents and is data driven. The Community Health Assessment sets a foundation for collaborative efforts, bringing together stakeholders from across the county to build a healthier, more resilient future for all.”
Laura Mrosla, a county health educator and the lead on this project, said the report is a call to action.
“This report highlights current health challenges, dives deeper into the root causes of these challenges, and elevates our community’s strengths,” Mrosla said. “It is also a call to action. We hope that this information will motivate community partners and residents to support evidence-based actions, ensuring all Guilford County residents can achieve their best health.”
The wide-ranging report also includes information on things like life expectancy, mental health and the “social determinants of health such as education, economic stability and access to care.”
As part of the process of compiling the report, the health division also took input through surveys and community meetings in order to make sure the report’s findings accurately reflected the experiences of those who live and work in Guilford County.
Blacks killing Blacks ⚫️, oh it’s the white devils fault and trumps too
Hint – The gun is not the root cause of your problem
I feel another non profit connected to grifter county commissioners coming to fleece out tax dollars.
What exactly does this mean “One suggested strategy to address the problem is community-driven intervention in key at-risk areas to help reduce disparities and foster an environment of long-term safety and stability.”? How does “equity” solve the problem of gun violence. I am all for teaching gun safety but I noticed gangs and gang violence was missing from this article. Guilford County has tried to ignore gangs exist for a very long time. Sounds like the report as full of buzz words and catch phrases. Reminds me of the “I want world peace” beauty contestants used to spout.
Bureaucrats in the Parasitic Sector think they sound more intelligent when they use ornate overwrought language.
They don’t realise that they sound ridiculous.
Sorry, it looks like Scott penned that purple prose!
Guilty as charged. It means go into the areas where the problem is the worst and have members of the community make it safer through effective programming.
Thanks for the translation! Perhaps you’ve been hanging out with City/County bureaucrats too much lately, Scott. I suggest a day or two in Rockingham or Randolph County doing “man on the street” interviews. That’ll cure you!
They think BS goes down better with a side of “word salad” 🙂
It would appear that Sharon Hightowers Cure Volence or whatever iterations still exists is NOT working other than making money for Sharon. Perhaps Greensboro could move away Michael Brown’s syndrome and black lives matter, looking at these numbers that’s not the case. Perhaps we could hire more police give them better wages (so you attract good ones) allow them to enforce the law. You would be surprised how even minor traffic stops can stop major crime. I don’t think Greensboro even gives out speeding summonses anymore.
Be careful what you ask for!
There is no such thing as “gun violence.” It is humans who rob, steal, etc., and many of them use guns in committing crimes. They don’t buy guns; they rob and steal from those who have guns.
BTW, what is the racial/ethnic percentages of crimes committed? What is the education level of those who commit crimes?
You said. . .”Also, the homicide rate for Black people is over seven times greater than that for White people in the county.”
My thoughts? Focus on the Black population to determine the root causes. . .which are more than likely absent fathers, poor housing, gangs, lack of parental controls, etc. Why not identify and post the names of parents (or parent) of those who commit crimes since they are responsible for them until they reach age 18.
Hey Chris are you reading this. Asking for a friend
There are a range of interesting studies for why violence is so prevalent within black communities. especially low-income black communities. The list is long and complicated to solve:
– Poverty: areas with high poverty rates often experience higher rate of crime, including gun violence. Economic hardship can lead to increased stress, limited opportunities, and social instability
– Lack of access to resources: limited access to quality education, employment opportunities, and mental health services contribute to cycles of violence.
– Housing instability: concentrated poverty, lack of affordable housing increases stress leading to increased violence
Systemic Racism: historical and ongoing discrimination, including redlining, discriminatory policing, etc… adds history of anger and stress leading to increased violence
Legacy of Trauma: The cumulative effect of historical and ongoing trauma, including exposure to violence and discrimination leads to a reoccurring cycle of violence
Exposure to violence: Exposure to violence, whether as a victim or a witness, can increases the reoccurring cycle of violence
Lack of Trust: lack of trust between law enforcement and communities can hinder efforts to prevent and address cycles of violence within the communities.
While not a complete list it also important to understand that these and other factors are interconnected and contribute to a complex problem. It will take a range of interventions within the communities to improve.
Looks like Chris blamed everything and everyone except of course for the people committing the crimes. Sounds about right. Interesting. I mean how dare we hold ourselves accountable for our own actions. Maybe that is the real issue, accountability.
Your systemic racism comment takes the cake. Since most violent crime is intra-racial, that makes zero sense. “Yeah, the white man has kept me down, so let me go shoot my black brother.” So dumb.
don,
Bravo sis, bravo
Sorry, I meant “sir
My apologies
No. These aren’t excuses. These are explanations. If you were to grow up in poverty with no family support, surrounded by drugs and the despair that comes with it, while being profiled as a criminal based on where you live and what you look like, you would likely be angry and prone to violence as well.
White nationalist parrots will tell you it is genetic and just ‘their’ nature (which is an ignorant racist view). I am just pointing to the challenges of growing up in a culture of poverty, drugs and violence as an explanation for the cycle of violence in the black community that dates back generations.
Key is how to break the cycle. No easy answers there….
But you be you
You just said that the world will profile me as a criminal and therefore I will become a criminal. So you’re saying I would live up to the stereotype and fulfill the world’s preconceptions? Got it, dummy.
Chris have you ever lived in a predominantly black, poverty stricken or low income community. Have you seen firsthand what you are talking about, do you know someone personally who has experienced what you describe as the root cause of the problem or do you get all your information from google. Asking for a friend
No. The theory is that anger, lack of hope for the future, turns kids to crime and violence. Often in the form of formal and/or informal gangs. (Over simplified of course)
Really not complicated Don. But you be you.
Chris has inverted the causative dynamic.
Or in the wonderful Carolina vernacular, he’s got it all ass backward.
I would avoid listening to Austin on this one. He supports the white supremist view theat Africans (I assume he includes African Americans in this false assumption yet has not answered that question when asked several times) are genetically less intelligent than Europeans (ie Whites). Therefore, his personal bias blinds his understanding of how centuries of repressive racism impact a community he considers inferior.
Is that your problem too Don?
* People who have low intelligence – stupid people – more readily engage in violence and criminality. Fact.
Austin. Thank you you are 100% correct. Get an education learn a skill get a job support your family and yourself and live honestly. Pretty simple actually Unless your intellect gets in the way then there’s always prison
Thank YOU, Aussie. Stupid people disproportionately fill the prisons.
Chris again doesn’t answer a direct question
What a Wanker
The vast majority of gun violence is perpetrated by people who have already guilty of serious crimes. Simply taking these people off of the streets for several years for their previous crimes would prevent much new violence.
Why do we let people off the hook…..do the Crime, serve the time…and if you want to throw race in on whites committed suicide at a higher level, please share all the crime stats on blacks and Hispanics versus whites on all the rest of criminal activity?
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate of any independent democracy on earth — worse, every single state incarcerates more people per capita than most nations. More prisons aren’t going to solve our problem with violence.
More prisons will not solve our criminal problems, but they will take the bad guys and gals off the streets. That’s a good thing. I have no sympathy for criminals. They made their bed with the decisions they made, now lie in it. As far as the U.S. having the highest incarceration rate, France is about the size of Texas but a little smaller. Germany and England are each about the size of Montana. Chris, as far as systemic racism, when will you admit that any negative feelings toward Blacks is not because of the color of their skin. Even Jessie Jackson admitted that in a dark alley, he would rather see a White man coming rather a Black man. Was that comment made because of skin color? I think not.
When will you admit that systemic racism has been crushing to the black community and a big component of their over representation within the poorer sectors of our community.
-First it was slavery (1600s to late 1800s)
-Then it was abusive share cropping practices (1800s to early/mid 1900s)
-Then it was discriminatory financial practices of banks and other lenders (mid 1930s to 1990s – although some lending such as farm lending has been found to be discriminatory more recently)
-Then it was segregation into the lower quality schools and jobs (1950s to 1970s)
-Then it was aggressive sentencing for crimes largely affecting the black community (crack was a crime wave yet opioids is a health epidemic for example). (1980s to 2000)
Then toss in a long history of lynchings, racial profiling, humiliation of black people openly in public, use of violence against peaceful protestors, etc….
And for good measure, make sure the challenge of breaking the cycle of poverty in this country is extremely difficult for everyone, regardless of race.
Yet conservatives want you to worry about all the great things the government does for the black community and ignore the history of racism and its generational impact on the black communities in the US.
But you be you.
Guns are not evil as they are incapable of doing harm until a person is involved.
– Lack of a family structure (Father in the home)
– No fear of punishment for crimes starting at small crimes , then escalating crimes with still no punishment.
– A liberal justice system that coddles criminals.
– A broken educational system.
These a just a few of the problems, there are many more…………….
I agree. I like to say that the US does NOT have a gun problem. We have violence problem.
Thanks for your word salad response Kamala oops, I meant Chris. By the way you are a liberal moron
You might have a violence problem Chris, I don’t
Weird. I suggested the US has a violence problem. Not you. Just weird.
But keep trying, you will find a gotcha on me one day Alan. It’s cute when you try.
Scott,
Is there any data included in this ‘study’ showing what legal action and punishment, and the level of punishment, met out to those who appear in court for gun violence? Is there data showing how many who are found guilty of gun violence serve their full sentence or are instead released after a short (or very short depending on your perspective) time behind bars under what I see as an overuse of the ‘slap on the wrist’ attitude by liberal judges. I’ve seen (documented) cases where a person guilty of gun violence spend less time in jail then someone guilty of a death in a traffic accident, or a white collar crime. How many gun crimes have been reported on where the offender is not identified because of their age? Do you consider that to be part of fair and equal justice? I don’t.
Accidental deaths and suicides should be considered as separate circumstances, although accidental deaths do deserve severe punishment. Stupidity is no excuse. Also, adults who contribute IN ANY WAY to minors gaining access to and use of a firearm under ANY circumstances need to be held just as accountable.
Several key factors were not mentioned in the study that really need to be considered.
1.) Only 33% of black children have two parents in the home compared to 70% white children per national statistics. Studies show much better results with two parents in the home. Marriage is one key point in this equation. The health of the community starts in the home.
2.) Black children in NC are scoring about 24 points below on standard reading test scores than that of other children. The level for grade proficiency is very poor. Parents and GCS schools are really struggling to improve. The future of the community is in the home and the schools. In the classroom improving reading, writing, and arithmetic is where emphasis needs to be placed. One in three students in GCS are chronically absent.
3.) About 50% of homicides are drug related. Violent crime such as robberies is similar percentages. Need to get drugs and drug dealers off of the street and drug treatment improved.
4.) Some studies show that about 1% of repeat offenders cause about 60% of the crime. The Guilford County District Attorney and Judicial system needs to take a tougher stand or at least be studied more carefully to get these repeat offenders off of the street.
5.) Guilford County has a family household median income of about $65,000 vs Wake at around $100,000, Meck around $85,000, and Durham around $75,000. The poverty rate in Greensboro is around 18% vs the state average around 12%. The eviction rate in Guilford County is 4th worst of 100 NC counties at 14%. Homelessness jumped 42% year on year in Guilford County vs Wake and Meck about 8-9%. Home ownership is about 53% in Greensboro vs state average at 65%. Economics is at play here in this county. Affordable housing is very short.
All starts with strength in the home and education being the equalizer. Safety is job one and has been lacking in our Sheriff and district attorney/court system leadership with record homicides in 2023 with 2025 starting off dismal . The community must have better leadership on the economic and school fronts. Are public tax dollar spends improving the situation? The data is not showing at this point in time a positive trend for Guilford County and our Gate City even with a $200 million increase in the County budget ($833 million) and a $182 million increase in the Greensboro City budget (over $800 million) these past four years.
We need a change.
Stability of home is key. The correlation of stability for home and performance in schools is the same root issue as with violence. Difficult to solve for the unique problems that drive the instability in home across the social economic spectrum, but poverty is one place to start for sure.
Are Nancy n Skippy losing their fed funding of their importing illegal aliens to The Hebrew Academy?
I think the trump administration should know about this crapola? Are they taking our local property tax monies to prop it up or is there already a secret slush fund?
A repeated senerio here in Guilford Co. It has raised up people “in the way in which their parent, guardian, grand parent has raised them to go”. Personal prejudices enter into the same experience. Gangs get those kids young and perpetuate the solution of violence without considering alternatives that require reflection and wisdom. Unfortunate truths. Look around the country, see our media coverage, it purports more of the same. Of course the morbidity re-invests that “someone owes me” whatever the media states is their personal right as a citizen. I wonder about solutions at least as I hope others do, by voting, showing up, volunteering and other like minded citizens ideas.
Throwing money at groups is unsatisfactory as has been stated, yet our “rock star” representatives who keep raising our taxes along with personal pet projects do not garner continued vigilance of change. You see it has only gotten worse. Bring in the definitions of our freedoms and its consequences back to schools too. A bit late in my opinion, yet a strong line of defense or our area draw will make our town known as the
“Wild West’ in the frontier days. No more arts, entertainment, parks of respite, due to no support of safety to support those efforts. Walls being built by suburban growth in home pricing, specific actions to keep the “riff raff” out. Well, that hasn’t worked either since renters are chosen by the owners or their contractual leasing company. SO Who sees our remarks here but those of us who are in unison? Supposidly some of those “leaders” city and counsel, yet without any concern for their new 8 yr terms, and now our 16 yrs of less success in results than when those began. Someone should venture results of those pulling the dollars out of our homes, pockets, etc, and expose them for the results of their actions in office’s. They are an abomination of our trust.
‘it takes a village to raise a child’ . . . because the father is unknown & un/irresponsible. it’s a cultural problem . . . lack-of ?
Guilford County’s population of 554,000 has increased about ten percent in the past decade. The average inmate population of the Guilford County Jail in Greensboro has declined by 26 percent, from 1032 to today’s 690. In truth, the real decline in detentions is even more abrupt once the closing of the old county Prison Farm and reductions at the High Point Jail are taken into account. I find it hard to believe that more aggressive policing and more strident prosecutions would not reduce crime in Greensboro and Guilford County. The fact city and county officials and the local prosecutors have permitted crime to fester like a malignant cancer is a dereliction of their sworn duty.
John,
Well said sir, well said
“Gun Violence” is a way for the people who refuse to acknowledge the truth, to explain the rampant violence that occurs nationwide and in our once fair city, on a daily basis.
It is far easier to blame the tool than the person using the tool. And when that argument is debunked, it becomes a problem of equity or lack of opportunity.
A simple search regarding the demographics of perpetrators of violent crime reveals the real issue of violence. If guns didn’t exist, I wager that the statistics would probably not change. Perhaps the homicide rate would go down some, but the only thing that would really change would be that this conversation would be about knives or blunt objects and not guns.
People are going to people. Until the actual cause is fixed, we are just pissing in the wind.
Sue hit the nail on the head. Greensboro needs to acknowledge that gangs and gang violence are a problem. Gang initiation and gang retaliation are the causes of much heartache in the city. Not talking about it is not going to make it disappear.
Well Chris I’m not buying the lack of opportunities BS. The Sixties called and want your excuses back.
Did you not see the Help Wanted signs that have been about everywhere since 2019?
I see many young African American hold themselves accountable and do well in school, go on higher education and get good jobs while many if not most of their peers CHOOSE to emulate hip hop gangster culture, disrupt the learning environment and turn their back on plentiful jobs.
Stop making excuses. It’s the black culture destroying itself.