|
Latest News
Ministers are the key to Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover’s latest crime-fighting initiative
by Diane Haag, Shreveport (LA) Times
|
|
December 21, 2007 Over lunch Thursday, Glover and Police Chief Henry Whitehorn presented "End the Silence, End the Violence," a campaign to get ministers involved in changing attitudes and mobilizing volunteers in their communities. "With your unique position, you have influence you can exert," Whitehorn said. "Even though a person may not be a Christian, they look to you as leaders."
|
|
More than 60 pastors from various denominations and neighborhoods listened as the chief and mayor outlined the problems of crime and some possible solutions.
"I’m very concerned about the community," said Monsignor Earl Provenza, of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, "I would like to see peace, and I think it starts with us."
The Rev. Aaron Dobynes, of Evergreen Baptist Church in Allendale, appreciated the mayor’s efforts to bring everyone together.
"Dialogue and unity are essential to move forward," he said. "It’s not just one community’s problem. Eventually, it affects our image outside the city."
Glover explained his "broken windows" philosophy of dealing with crime — which says if you address the small problems, you prevent bigger ones from developing.
"By increasing expectations, we maintain a sense of order," he said.
Then he preached a little to the pastors about the kind of leadership he wants to see from the faith community.
He and Whitehorn especially asked the ministers to fight a culture that says it’s wrong or uncool to cooperate with police.
Both referenced the slaying of 9-year-old Treveon Hunter in October.
"We know someone knows who did it, but we haven’t had anyone come forward," Whitehorn said.
They hoped pastors could help rebuild trust between the community and the Police Department.
"We need your help to end this conspiracy of silence," Glover said.
Glover asked the pastors to help fight crime in a direct way by preaching nonviolence, raising awareness of gangs and establishing neighborhood watches.
He also asked them to address the root causes of violence through educational efforts with children and plugging their members into a database of volunteers.
"Between Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the LightHouse and programs you have, there’s a tremendous number of programs to address the needs and challenges," Glover said. "All those programs lack for people."
In general, the pastors seemed encouraged by the presentation.
"If we follow through, then we see a vast reduction in crime and a change in attitude," said the Rev. Larry Anders, of Williams CME Temple.
Some volunteered to be on a task force that will work to implement the ideas the mayor put forth. Others offered suggestions about getting youths involved, more adult literacy programs and recognizing exceptional police officers, which Glover said he would consider.
"I agree with everything he said," Dobynes said. "It’s a good first step. The follow-up is key. He has to keep an open door with the pastors."
|
|
|
Nextwork.