City and community leaders have had enough with gun violence on the streets of Memphis. They call their plan "Memphis Gun Down," a five-part attack on gun violence.
"Now's the time to say, 'Enough.' So just take on your individual causes and say, 'This is what I'll do. I can't change the world but I can change my house, I can change my family, my street,'" Mayor A C Wharton said Sunday as he pitched the plan to churches.
The plan is a comprehensive approach to fighting the gun violence that couples traditional police work with community based efforts to fight the violence.
Part 1: "Suppression" City leaders want to focus law enforcement efforts on criminals who use guns to commit crimes.
Part 2:"Community Mobilization" City leaders want to change the culture and acceptance of violence in communities around the city. Part 3:"Youth Opportunities" City leaders want to provide opportunities for teenagers and young people so they don't turn to crime and violence.
Part 4:"Intervention" City leaders want to work in communities to prevent violence before it happens.
Part 5:"Organizational Change and Development" City leaders want to work to pass new laws and change policies and practices to help deter gun crimes.