Media

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

Release Date: February 23, 2005

Sheriff Mark Luttrell, Jr. will join members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church, and other law enforcement officials this weekend to erase gang markings that have been painted on the sides of buildings.

“This is another way we in the Sheriff's Office can promote safe neighborhoods. We appreciate this opportunity to be part of this project to rid the community of symbols that promote gangs,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

“We remember the message of non-violence that was promoted years ago by Dr. Martin Luther King, 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 Reverend 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, Memphis Police Department and Metro Gang Unit at the church this Saturday (February 26), at 2960 Kimball Avenue at 10 a.m.

The group will leave from the church and work at these locations throughout the day to remove gang graffiti:

• The Emerald Point Apartments-3315 Hickory Hill Road
• 692 Atlantic
• 702 Atlantic
• EZ Market-5393 Winchester
• 3650 Hickory Hill
• 3666 Hickory Hill
• Celebration Station on Macon Road at Interstate 40
• Former Taco Bell building on Elvis Presley near Southland Mall
• Unity Beauty Salon-3447 Jackson
• 1458 Trezevant-next to the U.S. Postal Office
• Bogey's Family Golf-7800 Fischer Steel Road
• Public Library South Branch-1929 South Third Street

Besides removing graffiti, the anti-crime effort is designed to open dialogue with gang members in hopes to stop the defacing of property. Additionally, new academic, recreation and social etiquette programs for teenagers are now being sponsored by Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The goal is to keep young people from joining gangs.

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