Philadelphia (CBS) — There have been at least 1,300 shooting casualties in Philadelphia so far this year. Some believe that the mayor, police department, and DA office are not doing enough.
A group hits the streets again in some of the toughest neighborhoods of the city in hopes of bringing peace to our streets.
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For critics who ask why people in gun violence-ravaged communities aren’t doing anything about it? The answer is that countless men and women are taking positive action. A case in point is Reverend G Lamar Stewart Sr., who spearheads a group that seeks to attack the root of the problem.
“Each night during August, Taylor Memorial Baptist Church, along with dozens of other churches, gathered on a street corner across the city of Philadelphia,” Stewart said.
Pastor Stewart joins other pastors, parishioners, and others with a mission to unite.
“Basically, we go out on the street corners from 9 to 11 p.m. and engage with the men and women on the street about education and employment,” said Reverend Stewart.
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The last time they did this in June, Reverend Stewart said he had an average of 10 to 20 people join him.Jeffrey Browne joined in June and is back again.
“Even when you watch the news on the news or drive around your neighborhood, you don’t realize the fact that even the hottest hotspots still have a community going on,” Browne says.
The three areas they are targeting are Nicetown, North Philadelphia, and Northwest Philadelphia, one of the toughest areas in the city.
“These are our children. These are young adults, young men and young women who look like me. I’m not afraid of them,” said Reverend Stewart. “If we could prevent young people and young people from picking up guns and using guns, it would help us because we could impart wisdom to that person or connect them to the resources they need. Victory.”
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About 4,000 people attended the night in June, 700 of them showed up at the end of the program’s job fair, and more than 200 have already been hired, according to Reverend Stewart. They will have another job fair on his August 31st.