After 12 shootings in seven days killed one person and left 12 people wounded, Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said Friday he will take two new measures to try to combat violence.
Berke said in a news release that he will create a group of citizens to work with young men and women, fostering relationships in an attempt to keep kids out of trouble, especially during the summer.
In a meeting with Times Free Press editors on Friday, Berke said the coalition will serve as a hub to connect citizens who want to help stop violence with various opportunities, and the group will focus on three areas: encouraging the people committing violence to stop, providing programming for young people that encourages safe activities and engaging neighborhoods in conversations about violence and safety.
The group, dubbed the “Citizen Safety Coalition,” will be led by Olivet Baptist Church Bishop Kevin Adams and Brainerd High School Vice Principal Charles Mitchell.
Berke said the outreach will differ from the social services the city already provides through the Violence Reduction Initiative, a strategy designed to stem gang-related gun violence by cracking down hard on gang members who are violent while offering help to gang members who put their guns down.