Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

A local group of community leaders issued a stern response to a recent news conference held by Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis, along with Police Chief Victor "Vic" Zordan, where the highlight of the conference was the recent activity of violence in the city. Of particular concern expressed in the news conference was the alleged shooting at a police patrol unit by members of an alleged gang. Chief Zordan said that the police department is "working" to get gangs off of the streets with local and federal help and they "won't let up" in their efforts. Zordan also said that their efforts include getting drugs off the streets as well as the guns. However, the mayor nor the chief offered any concrete plans, just that the news conference was to send a warning to gangs that they are coming after them. Zordan also said that it is a "small population" of gangs that is behind most of the crime, but that there will be a response. Mayor Ellis, in strongly worded remarks, seemed to take a shot at some in law enforcement, particularly judges who are the ones who have the final decision if an arrestee is released or confined to jail. Saying that they "must do their job", Ellis seemed to be holding them responsible for "letting criminals" get away and that he will "see to it" that they will be exposed. Zordan would go on to say that he "wished" the community would come together, consisting of churches, politicians and the media, in an effort to help the police, as it is a problem that they can't fix by themselves. A group of community activists aligned with an organization called The Monroe Study Group said in a news conference of its own, called out those in the community who want to be seen as "gang" members. Their message to those who engage in activities have nothing in common with gangs of the past, but that those in this generation, are only being the enemy of the community, especially in the Black community. Community activist Verbon Muhammad along with others, are, in a sense, challenging Mayor Ellis and chief Zordan to use other methods to help stem the increase in crime. Instead, the mayor in his press conference seemed to point the finger at judges in the court system. There was also a picture of judge Larry Jefferson on the face of a local publication, who happens to be Black, leaving some to wonder if the judge is being used as a scapegoat to suggest that he is soft on criminals. The only "plan" that was outlined by the chief, was that they would "buy guns and drugs" from gang members and nothing else, as the community is witnessing "an explosion" of homicides/gun violence so early in the new year. The Study Group asked the mayor and police chief a series of questions about using "task forces" to help stop the influx of guns/assault weapons on the south side, or a task force to stop the continuous flow of drugs and one to help improve the quality of life in south Monroe. They want to see community centers on the southside to be "better utilized" than they are now, to produce a visible change in our young people and build facilities to help people with mental illness, something that police officers are confronting more often. The Group also asserted that the Ellis administration is doing "next to nothing", when Black people die in police custody. The Group said that they have a plan to implement what has been shown to be effective in cities the size of Monroe, one based of the Conflict-Resolution Method. That is where those who want to associate with or be seen as gang members, can come together and formulate a "truce and cease-fire" period, to stop being each other's enemy. The Group says that they believe that they have the solutions to the violence and that "resources" must be released, as they want to do their part to "curb some of this gun violence". And finally, The Group seemed to suggest that the mayor should look at the D.A.'s office and leave Judge Jefferson alone. District Attorney Steve Tew defended the judges in criminal court by saying that, judges typically do hold violent offenders on bond. But as each case progresses, lawyers will file motions for reduced bonds, which is typical in most cases. The D.A. also said that those who are deemed violent and have a history, are prosecuted vigorously to the full extent of the law. Perhaps, that was what Judge Jefferson was doing, following the law. Everyone rightfully is concerned about crime, from the police officers who are out in the streets to the ordinary people who go about their daily routine. In a sense, all of our lives are at stake when we walk out of our doors. We don't know what/when/where/how something may happen to us. All lives are precious. That should be the goal, to help save lives and most of all, help improve them.