Coalition calls for adding jobs, not cameras, in fight against gang violence in city

Kevin Muhammad of the Nation of Islam delivers 'People's State of the City' to the Chattanooga City Council

Kevin Muhammad gives what he called a "People's State of the City" address during a Chattanooga City Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Muhammad, with the Nation of Islam, delivered the speech in rebuttal of Mayor Andy Berke's State of the City address last week.
Kevin Muhammad gives what he called a "People's State of the City" address during a Chattanooga City Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Muhammad, with the Nation of Islam, delivered the speech in rebuttal of Mayor Andy Berke's State of the City address last week.

I'm eager to hear from anybody who has solutions on how we can improve anything in our community.

Other City Council business

The City Council voted 8-0 to approve the purchase of a $228,000 ballistics research package.

The community needs fewer police cameras and more summer jobs, according to a presentation made Tuesday evening to the Chattanooga City Council.

Kevin Muhammad of the Nation of Islam delivered this message, which he called "The People's State of the City," in fire-and-brimstone style to a standing-room-only City Council assembly room. He gave the special presentation on behalf of a coalition of community welfare groups, including Citizens Concerned for Justice, People United for Change and other partners.

In his speech, Muhammad criticized Mayor Andy Berke's recent proposal to allocate $1 million to public safety cameras over a two-year period as another tool for combating gang violence.

"It will not slow the destructive forces intensifying in our communities," Muhammad said. "It, too, will fail."

Instead, Muhammad said the money should be spent on creating 500 summer jobs for youth in "poverty pockets." Other parts of the plan call for teaching those youths how to open bank accounts and invest in cars, homes and education.

The summer jobs proposal also seeks matching dollars from the city's largest business partners, especially those who have received tax incentives. In all, Muhammad envisioned $1 million investments each from Volkswagen and Amazon and another $1 million collectively from BlueCross BlueShield, McKee Foods and others.

A portion of private investment dollars raised for downtown improvements could also support the program, said Muhammad.

Muhammad's criticism of public safety policy and funding did not stop there.

"In the eyes of the poor and disenfranchised, the police in our communities are, to us, as the occupying armies of America are to the people of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya," he said, citing "100 percent dissatisfaction and frustration in our communities."

The room, not for the first time Tuesday evening, erupted in shouts and cheers.

Berke's camera proposal is not the only recommendation to confront gang violence.

Muhammad made his criticisms of police spending during the same meeting in which the City Council voted 8-0 to approve the purchase of a $228,000 ballistics research package through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network/Integrated Ballistic Information System.

Muhammad accused the City Council of rubber-stamping the mayor's budget and called for no more increases to the Chattanooga Police Department budget.

After the meeting, Police Chief Fred Fletcher said he "absolutely" respected Muhammad's opinion and he protected his right to voice it.

"I'm eager to hear from anybody who has solutions on how we can improve anything in our community," Fletcher said.

Fletcher said people in the community have told him they want to see more police presence and for the police to do more to solve violent crimes.

However, both opinions are valid and they inform him as to how he provides public safety services, Fletcher said.

Several members of the public also addressed the City Council, highlighting concerns over racial inequalities in access to quality education, jobs and health care.

Councilmen Ken Smith and Yusuf Hakeem, who requested Muhammad be allowed to give the coalition presentation, both thanked the audience for engaging the council and for speaking publicly.

"We will know in time if what was said to the council today has touched us and are we going to be responsive to what has been shared with us," Hakeem said. "Whether it is consciously or subconsciously, we will be looking at the budget in a manner that we have not. Maybe."

Hakeem also urged the audience members to engage their own communities to help make change.

"If all we're going to do is come out here today and tell government about themselves as opposed to you being involved in the process, I question if anything has been accomplished here today."

Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com.

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