In Chattanooga, violence reduction can look like a group of guys passing out frozen treats to a gaggle of kids from the back of an orange Dodge Charger.
Every Wednesday, the 423 Chain Breakers set up at the Bayberry Apartments, in the Avondale neighborhood. Usually the team hands out food and checks in with residents — who needs groceries, who needs help paying their utilities, who needs someone to watch their kids while they’re at work?
On Thursdays, they’re playing basketball at the Carver Community Center. Mondays are “Real Talk Mondays” on Glass Street, Tuesdays they’re on the Westside, and then there’s “Fist Bump Fridays” at public schools.
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When school’s in session, the team visits campuses in their target neighborhoods — including Avondale, Bushtown and East Chattanooga — and over the summer, they set up at Nightfall concerts on Friday nights to give kids a place to hang out.