ST. LOUIS – A new effort to stop violence in St. Louis is underway, and It involves local pastors stepping up to help monitor their communities.
Some residents in high-crime areas are tired of the violence and they’re hoping this new, creative approach makes a difference.
After closing out 2017 with more than 200 murders, some people in crime-filled areas said they don't foresee a change. That is why a lot of them have lost hope.
“That’s why there is a lot of the crime, nobody cares about anything, nobody has hope of anything,” said Usamah Mustafa.
Mustafa, a St. Louis resident, said he too is tired of seeing crime in the neighborhood. Another resident who didn’t want to be named said she moved away from the city after almost being a victim of a carjacking.
“I hear somebody saying give me everything you got and I turn around and I got a gun in my face,”.
She immediately spoke up and told police but that’s something a lot of people in violent neighborhoods are afraid to do.
"It could be your loved one it could be your family or what not it isn't about being no snitch or none of that but you speak up."
That’s why community activists like James Clark said they believe local churches can be a focal point to help stop the crime in the area.
“We see the church right now in the St. Louis metropolitan area as a very pivotal partner as we look to stabilize neighborhoods and do outreach to families in our more challenged neighborhoods,” Clark said.
Others like Mustafa who’ve witnessed crime are hoping this new unique approach involving churches helps strengthen their communities.
“It starts on an individual and a family level, then the neighborhoods, the community’s schools,” Mustafa said.
If you would like more information concerning churches in your neighborhood, or if you represent a church looking to join the fight against crime, contact 314-381-8200.
Community activists are asking pastors to talk to their members about gun violence and develop a presence in their communities where crime rates are high.
