Action Now members are active on the issue of violence prevention in their neighborhoods. They set up meetings with the Police Commanders in their district, organize roll calls and smoke-outs and work together to find new and innovative ways of addressing the problems of violence and crime in their communities.
Members are also very passionate about criminal justice reform and work with the Developing Justice Coalition to address the social and economic root causes of crime, and providing resources for ex-offenders, like expungements, is also an important focus.
Past Events:
West Garfield Park 4 Corners Smoke-Out
Action Now members and Sargeant Ward at Huron and Avers
On May 6th, 2011 Action Now members held a smoke-out on four corners in West Garfield Park where there was a large amount of drug activity and violence. A “smoke-out” is when members of the community gather and hold cook-outs in areas where there are a lot of people hanging out on the corners selling drugs. Action Now held the smoke-out on 4 corners: Huron & Avers, Ferdinand & Harding, Ferdinand & Ridgeway and Ferdinand & Avers. This event was a way for West Garfield residents to take back their neighborhood and create positive activity where it is usually negative… read more
Garfield Park Roll Call and Cook-Out
Action Now members and the 11th District Police Department held a roll call and cook-out on Friday, April 1st at the intersection of Ferdinand and Harding in the Garfield Park community. Action Now members and community residents were concerned with the violence and crime in that area. They had a meeting with the 11th District Police Department decided to organize a community event where residents and police officers could discuss ways to work together to improve the safety of the community… read more
Lawndale Roll Call
On Thursday, July 15th, 2010 at 7 p.m. Action Now held a roll call and rally at 22nd and Kolin with the 10th District Police Department. Around 60 Action Now members and community residents gathered to call for an end to the violence and crime that threatens the safety and well-being of the community.
On June 19th, 2010 five people were shot just after 6 p.m. on the 2200 block of South Kolin. Three people were taken in serious-to-critical condition to area hospitals. On July 7th, 2010 a man was shot dead and the woman he was with was critically wounded in a drive-by on 22nd and Kolin.
At the rally, Action Now member Pastor Cynthia Johnson said an open prayer to stop the shootings and called on the neighborhood to come together and take back the community. 10th District Commander Berscott Ruiz thanked Action Now for coming out to support the police in their efforts to make the neighborhood safer. Action Now members and community residents then took to the streets and marched down 22nd Street from Kolin to Keeler chanting “Stop The Killings!” and “We’re fired up, we won’t take it no more!”
As Action Now President Michelle Young said, “Enough is enough. Violence in our neighborhoods must stop! We are sick of drugs and shootings hurting our children. They deserve a safe place to grow. The solution lies with the community and police working together. We must speak up and take back our community!”
