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Steve Myers
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Flint has lost six people to gun violence this month alone.
City leaders and law-enforcement officials say the only way to stop it is for parents to get involved, keep our kids in school and get them off the streets.
As motivating as the forum was for the Flint community, some say it's going to take much more than that. For instance, adding community programs and police officers. Both that have been cut back in recent years.
Tears interrupted State Rep. Brenda Clack from speaking about the violence she says that has infected so many young people in Flint. She lost a nephew to gun violence.
Fran Cleaves lost her son Herbert in a drive-by shooting two years ago. That's where many feel the problem lies. But some feel the problem extends beyond a lack of recreation.
Clack called the town hall meeting after what has been a deadly month in Flint -- six murders and so far only two arrests.
The Flint Police Department has lost around 100 officers within the last eight years -- 22 of them detectives that work to solve our violent crimes.
Law-enforcement leaders say Flint's drug problem is driving the crime problem -- a hard battle to fight with half the narcotics unit the department use to have.
Union leaders say with the lack of manpower, they can't keep up with the crime that seems to be taking over the streets.
Flint Police haven't had a new contract in three years. Unable to reach an agreement with the city, they've filed for an arbitrator. A date for negotiations hasn't been set.
Full Story and Video:
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/news/063005_NW_da_violence.html |
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Fri Jul 01, 2005 9:50 am |
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