Chattanooga mayor taking on violence with new coalition
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) – Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke says he is taking steps to combat violence in the city after 12 shootings in seven days killed one person and left 12 people wounded.
According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Berke said in a news release Friday that he will create a group of citizens to work with young men and women in an attempt to foster relationships that may keep kids out of trouble, especially during the summer.
In a meeting with Times Free Press editors, Berke said the coalition will focus on three areas: Encouraging the people committing violence to stop, providing programming for young people that promotes safe activities, and engaging neighborhoods in conversations about violence and safety.
The group is called the “Citizen Safety Coalition.”
