Is it possible that community volunteers with a headquarters and a used cab could take a bite out of crime?
Maybe not, but at this point, practically anything would help. As long as the group works within the law and closely with local law enforcement, it ought to be able to give the plan a try.
Local Nation of Islam leader Kevin Muhammad is behind the movement that seeks to end violence in the streets of Alton Park. He hopes community volunteers of various beliefs, homeowners, youth and others can be a coalition that holds people to a higher standard in a neighborhood marked by gang-related violence.
Chattanooga already has seen 60 shootings and 15 homicides in 2016. Police have acknowledged some of the incidents are gang-related.
Gang-related shootings in the city have climbed from 53 in 2013 to 67 in 2014 to 70 in 2015. Gang-related homicides have risen by one a year from 12 in 2013 to 13 in 2014 to 14 in 2015.