Pastors, police team up to help crime victims
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DOWNTOWN JACKSON — Local pastors team up with Jackson police in an effort to cut down on crime. A new group made up of clergy members will reach out to victims and their families. “The first response is usually anger and hurt, a combination that you can’t control,” Stephanie Laffoon said. Laffoon helped launch the Clergy Assistance Response Effort, or CARE. The group will work with victims of violent crime and minister to their families. “I think a lot of times people bring food because they don’t know what else to bring, and what we want to do instead of just bringing food is we want to bring prayers and support,” Laffoon said. The group will act as a liaison between victims‘ families and police. “When they see that the clergy is behind the Jackson Police Department, when things happen they won’t be afraid to communicate with officers,” said Walter Brown, pastor at St. Paul CME Church. They want to take a proactive approach, go into high crime areas, and build relationships now. “We’re not just waiting until something bad happens, a tragedy, and then show up,” Brown said. Investigators hope the new partnership cuts down on crimes of retaliation. “Let us handle it and let justice play out in the courtroom and not on the streets,” said Capt. Tyreece Miller with the Jackson Police Department. “If we can save one life and prevent one person from joining a gang that wasn’t in a gang yesterday, then we’ve accomplished our goal,” Councilman Scott Conger said. Laffoon said the program‘s intention is not to just help right after a crime, but help heal families and communities. “We want to be able to point people towards counseling that’ll help them in a positive way,” she said. Police said the program is voluntary.
