In early October 2025, Chief Holly Joshi and Sara Serin-Christ of the Oakland, California, USA, Department of Violence Prevention traveled to Bristol, UK, for a tailored peer exchange. The exchange primarily focused on two key areas: (1) the utility, core principles, and effective component parts of a central office or department of violence prevention and (2) deepened conversation on gendered aspects of violence and associated prevention strategies. Beyond these two core areas, the exchange offered opportunities for sharing ideas and expertise regarding youth mental health, respectful and grounded community engagement, creative approaches to institutional buy-in, funding approaches, and more. Both cities have had success with their investments in prevention and public-safety building. But Oakland and Bristol also struggle with legacies and present-day manifestations of deep racism and structural inequality that impact the health and well-being of large swaths of their populations.