Activist Wants City to do More About Gang Activity
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Is gang activity a problem in Montgomery? It was a hot topic at last night’s mayoral forum with candidates offering suggestions and solutions on how to crack down on the problem. But one activist says none of them have the answer.
The majority of Alabama inmates return to prison within three years of their release. It’s hard to beat the odds once you’re in the system.
One Montgomery activist, who runs a non-profit, is fighting to make sure more young people don’t fall into that trap through gang activity.
Montgomery Police Chief Ernest Finely says he’s aware gang members are recruiting young people in the city’s middle and high schools.
“The younger the better,” he said. “The younger the better.”
He says the Montgomery Police Department is working to create programs that will fight the problem.
“We have identified some officers in the department that we consider as experts and that have extensive training in the field of gang enforcement.”
The issue of gangs in the city came up at Tuesday evening’s mayoral forum, with candidates offering a variety of solutions. But one local activist says city leaders just don’t get it.
“I believe I can speak to them because I have hands-on experience,” Timothy Williams said. “I’ve lived it. I’ve been shot. I was a drug dealer at some point. I’ve been incarcerated.”
It was in prison that Williams knew he needed to change his life. He now runs a non-profit called Second Chance Community Services and works to keep kids from going down his path.
Williams says it’s frustrating hearing what mayoral candidates have to say about gang activity.
“One of the candidates said something about sitting down with the gang members. Good luck with that.”
Instead, Williams wants the city to partner with ex-felons, like him, to reach the youth. He says doing that would provide ex-offenders employment and would allow them to mentor impressionable kids who may be thinking about getting involved in gangs.
“It’s cool to them because they see these guys with money or jewelry or some type of authority. They don’t have fathers.”
Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange took Williams information at last night’s mayoral forum. He says he’d like to work with Williams in the near future.
Montgomery Police Chief Ernest Finley says this school year…
The police department is partnering with Montgomery Public Schools to implement programs that deal with conflict resolution and gang awareness.
