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Sheriff Luttrell Joins Community Effort To “Erase” Gang Influence In Neighborhoods

Release Date: June 8, 2006

Sheriff Mark Luttrell, Jr. will join members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church this weekend to erase gang markings that have been painted on the side of a North Memphis business.

“This is the second year the Sheriff’s Office had worked with the SCLC, Reverend Dr. Dwight Montgomery and the members of his church to erase gang messages in our community. This is a good example of the importance of law enforcement joining with churches and other organizations to address criminal activity in our community,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

“Our plan is to combat gang violence by simply removing gang messages that have been painted on buildings throughout Memphis.  This is our way of saying criminal activity is not welcomed in our community,” said Dr. Dwight Montgomery, President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Pastor of Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church.

S.C.L.C. associates and members of Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church will meet with Sheriff Luttrell and others from the Sheriff’s Office at the church this Saturday (June 10), at 2960 Kimball Avenue at 10:30 a.m.

The group will leave from the church and travel to 3447 Jackson Avenue to remove graffiti that has been painted on the side of a beauty shop.

The S.C.L.C. is working in a partnership with “CitiRise” Redevelopment Corporation and other area agencies to open a dialogue with gang members in hopes to stop the defacing of property. 

Additionally, new academic, recreation, job training and social etiquette programs for teenagers are being sponsored by the partnership effort.

 The goal is to keep young people from joining gangs.

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