This is a guest opinion column

Gun violence continues to plague communities in Alabama, with data revealing that it is sadly the leading cause of death among children in our state.

To make matters worse, the detrimental effects of gun violence extend far beyond immediate physical injuries. Victims often endure psychological trauma that can manifest in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more. These scars can make them vulnerable to future violence or even lead them to perpetrate violence themselves.

The mental health impact is particularly acute in children, whose brains are still developing. If children exhibit these signs within an environment that is not trauma-informed, they can go overlooked. This is particularly true in some of Alabama’s less affluent neighborhoods, where school systems often lack the training and resources to recognize signs of trauma.

The devastating toll on our youth cannot be overstated.

The ripple effects of gun violence don’t end there. The impact of gun violence can negatively impact the well-being of an entire city — far beyond the areas that experience gun violence at higher rates. Tourists and job creators may look elsewhere, lowering median incomes and employment opportunities. Residents may decide to move, and resulting decreases in tax revenue may lead to reductions in city services, including those dedicated to public safety, perpetuating further violence and consequences to the city at-large.

It’s time we call gun violence for what it is: a disease.

And just like any other deadly disease, we must adopt a public health approach of preventive, reactive, and remedial measures to address it. We must acknowledge that law enforcement cannot address endemic gun violence on its own. This issue demands a collaborative data-driven effort that harnesses the expertise and input of educators, public health officials, mental health experts and community organizations as part of the solution. Further, it requires adopting and embracing the latest technologies so we all work smarter for maximum impact on saving lives.

This is exactly the approach we are taking in Mobile.

Earlier this year, Mayor Stimpson’s Office received several messages from an individual threatening to shoot the mayor and specific police officers. Instead of using a show of force response, an officer and clinician – part of our co-response program – went out to evaluate the individual. The man did not have any weapons, and, in fact, was blind. He had some delusional thoughts and paranoia regarding the government, and we were able to help get him into a psychiatric hospital.

A typical response in this situation would have been a SWAT unit breaking into the individual’s home with weapons drawn. It would have a high likelihood of a fatal outcome since the person would have difficulty complying with commands in a high-stress situation due to his delusions and visual impairment.

When it comes to addressing gun violence, intelligence is key. It’s why Mobile P.D. decided to partner with SoundThinking to deploy ShotSpotter technology as part of Operation Echo Stop. ShotSpotter is the leading gunshot detection system that identifies and alerts police to incidents of gunfire that in most cases otherwise go unreported, saving lives. We’re also sharing critical gunfire data directly with community violence prevention and health organizations, enabling them to deploy resources when and where they’re needed most.

It’s essential to emphasize the interconnected nature of our approach in Mobile. We understand that every piece of the puzzle, be it technology, community involvement, or trauma-informed care, works in harmony to address the multi-faceted challenge of gun violence.

We have sought to embrace every tool at our disposal in this fight.

In the months and years ahead, our approach will undoubtedly evolve according to the latest evidence-based research associated with root causes, risk factors, and potential solutions. That’s a good thing. Data-driven research is proven to have the potential to stem gun traffic, cut down on shootings, and save lives.

The time is now to address gun violence head-on and a public health approach is the best approach.

Our children deserve no less.

Commander Curtis Graves leads the Office of Strategic Initiatives for the Mobile Police Department.

Dr. Ashley Williams-Hogue is a trauma surgeon and director of Project Inspire at USA Health University Hospital.

Dr. Cindy Gipson is the Associate Director of Crisis Services for AltaPointe Health, the state’s largest regional behavioral health provider.