May I first congratulate Mayor Ferrell and council members for having the foresight to establish the Federal Way ViolencePrevention Coalition Steering Committee. This committee spent a tremendous amount of time hearing public feedback and recommendations in trying to present strategies that would bring some stability and peace of mind during these times of extreme public violence. The work they have produced is remarkable, and I would highly recommend the city of Federal Way to listen to the citizens and the demands they are pleading.

I am a retired court administrator (after 42 years) and have seen my share of violence come through our court system, the hurt inflicted on victims/survivors, the children of these families and what violence does to a community.

I strongly believe we are not born to hit, yell, bully or intimidate another human being. This is a learning behavior that needs to be stopped. I believe this should not only begin in our homes but also in our schools for those who are not as fortunate as some who come from a loving family. The city of Federal Way and its citizens need to come together to acknowledge this fact and address this situation, to show what love, compassion and empathy can do to the health of us all.

As a board member of the Federal Way Domestic Violence Task Force, we have produced a brochure called “Dating Violence” that has been accepted in our high schools and library; however, we need to start earlier. Federal Way is so fortunate to have citizen volunteers that care.

We are doing what we can to reduce the disease of violence, however we need help. We need the city to take a look at the budget, whether it be from grants or donations. Do we want to continue spending tax dollars on incarceration after the fact or put our attention to our students, giving them the education required to recognize what violence is and what it does to bring down our hopes and wishes for peaceful relationships?

I am in hopes the Federal Way Violence Prevention Coalition Steering Committee report given to the mayor and council will not be “put up on a shelf” and will instead be given the respect deserved.

Janet Chance, Federal Way