HR 183: Macon Violence Prevention Program; impactful efforts in reducing violent crime in Macon-Bibb County and commending its community-wide collaboration and innovative approach to violence prevention; commend

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it formally recognizes the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) Program, a collaborative effort in Macon-Bibb County that combines law enforcement, public health strategies, and community-led initiatives to reduce violent crime. The resolution cites the program's results, including a steady decline in homicides since MVP began, more than $2.5 million in grants awarded to 52 local nonprofits for youth mentorship and education, and national recognition such as a top ranking in a 2024 violence prevention index and a Visionary City Award from the Georgia Municipal Association. The House resolves to commend the program, recognize Macon Mayor Lester Miller and MVP partners for their leadership, and directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to the Mayor, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, and the MVP Steering Committee.

• Formally commends the Macon Violence Prevention Program for its work reducing violent crime and enhancing public safety in Macon-Bibb County.
• Recognizes Macon Mayor Lester Miller for launching the program and credits MVP partners, including law enforcement, the judiciary, and nonprofits, for their efforts.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the Mayor, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, and the MVP Steering Committee.
• Does not create any new law, funding, or requirement; it is a symbolic statement of recognition by the House.

The resolution directly names and honors Macon Mayor Lester Miller, Sheriff David Davis, District Attorney Anita Howard, the MVP Steering Committee, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, and the 52 local nonprofits that received MVP grants. More broadly it recognizes residents of Macon-Bibb County touched by the violence prevention effort.

While the resolution carries no legal or funding effect, it gives official state recognition to a local violence prevention model, which can raise its public profile and encourage other Georgia communities to consider similar law enforcement and community partnership approaches.

• The whereas clauses describe MVP's approach of combining law enforcement, public health, and community-led initiatives to address root causes of violent crime.
• States that Macon-Bibb County has seen a steady annual decline in homicides since MVP's inception.
• Notes that 80 MVP community grants totaling more than $2.5 million have gone to 52 local nonprofits for youth mentorship and education programs.
• Cites the Georgia Municipal Association's 2024 Visionary City Award and a 6th-place national ranking in Community Justice's 2024 Violence Prevention Index.
• The resolving clauses commend the program, recognize Mayor Lester Miller and MVP partners, and direct the Clerk of the House to distribute copies to specified recipients.

1. 2025-02-05House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2025-02-05House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-05House Hopper (House)

• Tangie Herring (D, HD-145)Primary sponsor
• Floyd Griffin (D, HD-149)
• Dale Washburn (R, HD-144)
• Miriam Paris (D, HD-142)
• Anissa Jones (D, HD-143)
• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)

• violence prevention
• Macon-Bibb County
• public safety
• community grants
• legislative commendation