Yes you read that right. A group from Chicago is here to help Jacksonville decrease it’s crime.
The City of Jacksonville has hired a firm out of Chicago to the tune of $7,500 to help us figure out how to reduce crime.
Cure Violence met with Sheriff Williams, Mayor Curry and State Attorney Nelson. They also hosted a meeting at Kids Hope Alliance with various entities including crime task force members, community and business leaders and activists.
Cure Violence’s approach is treating crime like a disease. They help with “retaliation” crime and identify those who might create crime in the future based on their life circumstances. Mayor Curry stated, “That they disrupt the next violent act. And that is their core mission. So, they treat it, again, like a disease. And a disease spreads,” said Curry.
Chicago reduced its murder rate in 2018 but still outnumbers LA and NY combined. They have program after program in Chicago and they are still a crime-ridden mess of a city. Are programs the answer to crime?
Cure Violence is holding two meetings for the public this week if you are interested in attending and giving your opinions:
Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Legends Center Auditorium at 5130 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville, FL. 32208
and
Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Mary Singleton Center at 150 E. First St., Jacksonville, FL. 32206.
Maybe Cure Violence will indeed help us. We can only hope because that seems to be all we have left. Hope. And of course — Prayer. With some LOVE added to the mix.
Maybe that’s the real program we need to cure the hate in our hearts?
The LOVE program. Maybe we should spread a little LOVE wherever we go today. At least we should give it a try. Can’t hurt.
Billie Tucker Volpe
Billie Tucker Volpe Founder of Eye on Jacksonville and Leadership Consultant to CEOs/Executives.