Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon Joins Other Elected Officials and Clergy in Effort to Address the Root Causes of Crime
Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon Joins Other Elected Officials and Clergy in Effort to Address the Root Causes of Crime (Cook County, IL) — Moments before an anti-violence news conference was due to take place, a 14-year-old girl was shot in the West Pullman neighborhood. She was one of nine shooting victims and five murders in the last month in the far South Side neighborhood.
In response to the recent spate of violence, Roseland Ceasefire Project, Inc. called together clergy, elected officials and police in a show of solidarity and to offer solutions and resources to residents who feel under siege.
Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon (5th District) said combating violence will take everyone fighting together.
“We allow people to tell us based on what zip code we live in, what’s our life expectancy. I don’t want to see that anymore…no one wants to see that anymore,” said Commissioner Gordon.
The door-to-door, grassroots effort is one way the long-time anti-violence group is connecting with residents.
“Over the weekend, there were people shot and they’re tired of it. They’re sick and tired of it,” said Bob Jackson, executive director of Roseland Ceasefire Project, Inc.
Recently, the state of Illinois dedicated $1.3 million toward anti-violence efforts on Chicago’s South Side.
“Giving them the resources, they’re closest to the ground, “said state Rep. Bob Rita of the 28th District, which covers Roseland, Pullman and West Pullman. “Being out here is showing the people we do care from all levels of government.”
Elected officials said violence does not have borders, which is why it is in everyone’s best interest to address the root causes of crime.
Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon Joins Other Elected Officials and Clergy in Effort to Address the Root Causes of Crime
You can have all the events, press conferences and stop the violence rhetoric, but until the emotional intelligence of black men is addressed with intent and purpose to evaluate, educate and prayerfully provide a some sense of reform, its like throwing good money in the toilet.