Mediation Services of Adams County (MSAC) is nearing completion on an 18-month initiative aimed at preventing targeted violence in Adams County. The project, undertaken in collaboration with Urban Rural Action and funded by the Department of Homeland Security, engaged people from diverse political backgrounds in a vital community effort.
The term “targeted violence” refers to situations where an individual or group plans and commits acts of violence against specific targets, often motivated by ideological, personal, or political reasons. The project’s emphasis on prevention highlights the importance of addressing potential threats before they escalate into actual violent incidents. This approach involves a combination of community education, awareness programs, and the establishment of threat assessment and management (TAM) teams.
The primary goal of the Adams County project has been to prevent targeted violence through community engagement that focused on helping people learn to have meaningful conversations. Many individuals on the pathway to violence have lost, or never had, an understanding of their own emotions or an avenue to talk about them. MSAC’s and the UPTV cohort’s approach aimed to address this by creating conversation cards, puzzles, and coloring books that can be used to facilitate dialogue and emotional awareness for all age groups. The cards are available for free at various locations, including the Adams County Library System.
Threat assessment teams are multidisciplinary groups that focus on identifying, assessing, and managing potential threats of violence within a community. These teams operate based on the principles of early intervention and collaboration, aiming to prevent violence through proactive measures rather than reactive responses.
In addition to the TAM team established in Adams County by Eric B. Beyer, Detective and Drug Task Force Coordinator from Adams County District Attorney’s Office, several surrounding counties have also implemented similar teams as part of the effort to enhance community safety.
Regional Prevention Gathering
You are invited to attend the “Regional Prevention Gathering” at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center in Chambersburg, PA, on August 24 from 10 am to 12:30 pm. This is the culminating event of ‘Uniting to Prevent Targeted Violence in South-Central Pennsylvania,’ a community action program that has connected MSAC with other community organizations and members to work across differences to prevent targeted violence across four counties.
The gathering will feature a presentation by the Pennsylvania Uniters in Adams County, who have worked with MSAC to reduce political tension using conversation cards to encourage dialogue. Officials from surrounding Threat Assessment and Management teams will be on hand to discuss ongoing efforts to enhance community safety.
There will also be opportunities for community members to hear about and join new initiatives to prevent local violence during the election season. Lunch will be provided free of charge! To reserve your spot, we kindly request your RSVP by completing this short registration form (https://forms.gle/sgrcyYMYymJBjYJb6). Thank you for your consideration!
Patti Robinson is the Board President of MSAC.
Patti Robinson moved from Utica, NY to Gettysburg, PA six years ago. She has a degree in psychology from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and has worked as an in home autism therapist and in the Hamilton College Psychology Department as an editorial assistant of a super geeky journal. She has worked as a mediator for the Unified court system, Child Court Improvement Project, The Peacemaker Program Inc and she serves on the board of Mediation Services of Adams County. Patti is certified in many types of mediation including; divorce, child permanency, police/citizen, small claims, landlord/tenant and is currently working as a community mediator. She and her husband Doug live just south of town on a 22 Acre registered wetland with their three tiny and two giant dogs and two normal sized swans.