Media

Community Leaders Join Anti-Gang Effort

Release Date: July 6, 2006

Sheriff Mark Luttrell, Jr. will join members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Memphis Chapter, Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church and a host of government and business leaders as they erase gang markings from buildings next weekend.

“These events to combat gang graffiti are sending a clear message to criminal gangs in our community.  The Sheriff’s Office is pleased to once again work alongside of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Memphis Chapter and Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church in this effort.” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Along with Sheriff Luttrell, Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons and representatives of the Memphis Police Department will join in the effort to remove gang signs from buildings in the National-Jackson Street area.

Gang activity has been noted in the National-Jackson area due to the number of symbols and gang signs that have been painted on the side of buildings.

  Since last year, members of the S.C.L.C. Memphis Chapter and Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church have painted over gang symbols left on businesses throughout the Memphis area.

“The S.C.L.C. Memphis Chapter is working in a partnership with “CitiRise” Redevelopment Corporation and a host of business and community leaders.  Our goal is to offer job training and social etiquette programs to young people to steer them away from a life of crime,” said Dr. Dwight Montgomery, President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Memphis Chapter and Pastor of Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church.

Next weekend’s event will be held Saturday morning, July 15, at the Save-N-Save grocery store at 3394 Macon near National at 10:00.  Gang markings on that building and others nearby will be erased. 

As other gang signs and symbols are identified in the Memphis and Shelby County area, the S.C.L.C. and Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church will host other events to remove the graffiti.

Edwin S. Roberson, President of Conwood Corporation, Mr. John Ellis, Vice-President of Belz Enterprises and Mr. James Webb of CitiRise Redevelopment Corporation are heading a list of business leaders involved in the anti-crime effort.

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