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Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson is Honored by Women Against Gun Violence with Courageous Leadership Award (08-31-20)
CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Silvia Martinez, 213-241-8333 August 31, 2020
Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson is Honored by
Women Against Gun Violence with Courageous Leadership Award
Women Against Gun Violence on Sunday recognized Board of Education Member Scott M. Schmerelson with their 2020 Courageous Leadership Award for his ongoing work around school safety and for bringing attention to the issue of preventable gun violence.
Women Against Gun Violence is a non-profit organization that has been working for over 25 years in Los Angeles County on education and gun violence prevention.
Over the years, school shootings have become an all-too-frequent occurrence in modern America. The Children’s Firearm Safety Alliance found that in the United States in 2017, 364 children under the age of 18 unintentionally pulled the trigger of a gun, injuring themselves or someone else; 132 children died as a result of their injury and 16 of those wounded were adults.
In May 2019, Board Member Schmerelson authored a resolution, “Protecting Our Children from Preventable Gun Violence,” which was unanimously passed by the Board to educate parents about proper gun storage and their legal obligation to safely secure any firearms in their home. This resolution also required parents to sign a letter each year acknowledging their understanding of firearm storage responsibilities and provided for school site staff to be trained to detect and prevent gun violence.
“As school board members, we have a profound responsibility to address the all-too-frequent school shootings that we are witnessing in modern America,” said Board Member Schmerelson, who represents Board District 3, covering most of the middle and western San Fernando Valley. “Nearly 70% of student shooters gained access to a lawfully purchased gun from their residence or the residence of a relative, 87% of kids know where their parents' guns are kept and 60% have handled them. Over 80% of teens who commit suicide with a gun used one that belonged to someone in their home, and guns are the third-leading cause of death for kids. I am hopeful that the measures called for in my resolution will better educate parents and guardians about their legal obligation to safely store firearms.”
In April 2018, prior to the resolution being adopted by the Board, City Attorney Mike Feuer, in partnership with now-retired School Police Chief Steven K. Zipperman, launched the “Los Angeles School Safety Blue Ribbon Panel.” The panel brought together students, parents, educators, community stakeholders and experts to provide recommendations on school and gun safety.
For over a year, Board Member Schmerelson participated in the taskforce, as well as providing leadership and advocacy for measures that would educate students and families and reduce gun violence. As a teacher, counselor and school site administrator, he saw the toll that gun violence took on schools and their communities. In 2019, he also authored the resolution, “Protecting our Students and School Communities by Addressing Emergency and Lockdown Drill Policies.”
“I am humbled that Women Against Gun Violence has recognized me with this leadership award for my ongoing work and advocacy around gun safety,” Board Member Schmerelson said. “My resolution was an important first step in educating students and parents about gun safety and prevention. I will strive to work hard to see our city, our state, and our nation eliminate senseless acts of gun violence in our communities.”
Board Member Schmerelson was honored at the organization’s Leadership Brunch along with retired Chief Zipperman; Donna Finkelstein, Los Angeles Unified Intervention High School Counselor and WAGV Board Member; and Krista Vernoff, a producer and show-runner for “Grey’s Anatomy.”