“Reduce the Risk”: California Campaign Presents Critical Info on Gun Violence Protection Orders

August 12, 2025

Tajee Michael was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the 2022 shooting death of high school football coach Greg Najee Grimes outside a Sacramento nightclub. Michael, who had prior felony convictions, accepted a plea deal in the presence of Grimes' parents, allowing them to avoid a traumatic trial. In response to this tragedy and other gun violence incidents, the Grimes family established the Greg Najee Grimes 212 Anchor Foundation, while California has launched the "Reduce the Risk" public awareness campaign through the Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Who is affected

The Grimes family, including parents Deborah and Gregory Grimes
Communities of color, particularly Black people who experience disproportionately high rates of gun violence deaths in California
The four individuals wounded in the same shooting that killed Grimes
California residents generally, as nearly 3,000 Californians die from gun violence annually (about eight people daily)
Victims of domestic violence, as domestic violence-related calls involving firearms increased 80% from 2019 to 2021
Individuals at risk of self-harm, as 92% of gunshot wounds between 2016-2021 were intentional self-harm

What action is being taken

California's Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is running the "Reduce the Risk" public awareness campaign to spotlight gun violence protection orders and legal tools
The Department of Justice is supporting better understanding and implementation of court protection and restraining order processes
The Grimes family is operating the Greg Najee Grimes 212 Anchor Foundation to provide scholarships and raise awareness about gun violence
Deborah Grimes is advocating for safety measures through the Najee's Law Initiative, which proposes requiring exterior cameras, lighting, and metal detectors at downtown Sacramento establishments
Deborah Grimes is participating in Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, pushing for gun violence prevention

Why it matters

Gun violence disproportionately impacts communities of color, with about half of gun assault victims in California being Black and about a third Hispanic or Latino
Protection orders have prevented 58 potential mass shooting threats in California since 2016
A recent statewide poll found 80% of Californians know little or nothing about gun violence protection orders
The nine different protection orders provide safety features that require those served to relinquish firearms while orders are in place
Of the nine families in Deborah Grimes' support group who lost male relatives to gun violence in Sacramento, her son's case is the only one that has been solved

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint