Baltimore ‘Day of Hope’ Event Decreases Crime
Neighborhood events bringing police and communities together are effective at reducing crime in inner-city neighborhoods, Baltimore Police Chief Melvin Russell says.
He spoke with CBN’s Megan LeBlanc at the most recent “Day of Hope” event held in the North East Baltimore inner-city on July 30th. The event was organized by the ministries Somebody Cares Baltimore and Mercy Chefs, who partnered with the Baltimore Police Department.
Megan LeBlanc is in Baltimore, Maryland with Mercy Chefs, Somebody Cares Baltimore, the Baltimore Police Department, and volunteers putting on the Day of Hope neighborhood event. The goal of this event is to connect law enforcement officers with the local community one shared meal at a time. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2azd1wq
Posted by CBN News on Saturday, July 30, 2016
The “Day of Hope” event took place in Frank Boceck Park bringing community members and police officers together.
There were bounce houses, face painting, cotton candy, and free groceries and haircuts at the event. Coupled with upbeat music and good food – it was a time to celebrate the community.
Chief Russell spoke about the way crime rates drop dramatically after these Day of Hope events.
“We go on an average of about 90 days with a 23% crime reduction in these areas,” he said.
Listen to what Chief Russell has to say about #crimerates after #DayOfHope events in #Baltimore #CBNGoodNews pic.twitter.com/mDPJfiSAu8
— Mercy Chefs, Inc. (@MercyChefs) August 1, 2016
“That’s because the love of God is in this place and we just elude it and spread it throughout all the communities,” he said, “from this one spot that great light illuminates and people feel it all over.”
During the turbulent unrest after Freddie Gray's death last spring, Mercy Chefs and its team of professionally trained chefs traveled from Portsmouth, Virginia, to feed law enforcement officials working all hours to protect their city.
Through the disorder and chaos, each conversation with police officers and local ministries was centered on addressing the growing chasm between law enforcement officials and local residents.
"Nationwide nearly every community is facing unrest and has a desire to be unified. Nobody wants to see a community fall apart in front of their eyes,” says Chef Gary LeBlanc from Mercy Chefs in a phone interview with CBN News. "Mercy Chefs has been proud to play a small part in this unification process.”
This weekend, Mercy Chefs served meals that facilitated the birth of trust between the Baltimore community and its police officers.
One police officer said, “It’s time to bring the ‘charm’ back to Charm City,” and that is exactly what the Day of Hope events can do.
"Let's bring the 'charm' back to Charm City." Amen! #Unity #DayOfHope #Baltimore #FeedingBodyAndSoul pic.twitter.com/FsS2tyJ1Xh
— Mercy Chefs, Inc. (@MercyChefs) August 1, 2016
"In Baltimore, community leaders, the police department, local clergy, and community organizers united to reach the people of Baltimore. This collaboration of everyone has led to the success of their community," LeBlanc said. "This unification of Baltimore can be a model for the rest of the nation because everyone partnered together.”
The next scheduled Day Of Hope event will take place August 20.
Visit Mercy Chefs to learn more about its mission of "feeding body and soul."
