Following the tragic and senseless death of Shannon Smith in 1999, the City of Phoenix has been working diligently to stop random gunfire. In order to have a more lasting effect, it was decided that the best way to reduce and prevent random gunfire would be to educate people about the dangers of celebratory gunfire at a young age. Through partnerships with law enforcement and members of the community, efforts were focused on education and enforcement. In the past six years, random gunfire on New Year’s Eve has been reduced by nearly 50% in the city of Phoenix.
Three years ago the Phoenix Police Department expanded the Shannon’s Law educational campaign to include a poster contest where elementary students are asked to create a poster illustrating the dangers of random gunfire. It is an unusual if not unique approach to solving a community problem. This year’s contest generated over 1,200 entries from 14 school districts.
Selena Aguilar, an 8th grade student at Raul Castro School in the Cartwright District is the winner of the 2009 Stop Random Gunfire poster contest. Her illustration titled “What goes up must come down but where?” will be transformed into a billboard and will be on display; reaching countless people with her message of safety. Selena was also awarded a trip for four to Disneyland due to her creative efforts and clear interpretation about the dangers of random gunfire.