DETROIT – City and state officials go door-to-door to push for peace when it comes to gun violence, and it comes after a violent weekend full of gun violence in parts of Detroit.
It’s part of their annual Peacenic event, which has been happening for three years. Their goal is to reduce gun violence in the city.
“We continue to see the numbers statistically move in the right direction in regards to a reduction over the same time last year, but those are mere numbers,” said Detroit police Chief James White. “You can’t celebrate numbers when you’ve got people that are impacted by violence.”
With nine people recently shot in the city in two separate shootings within 10 minutes of each incident, as the weather gets warmer, leaders want people to know de-escalation is the best answer.
Detroit police Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison and United States Attorney Dawn Ison went door-to-door to encourage people to make peace, not violence.
“The whole point of this is to improve the quality of life in people, and the way you do that is by listening to people,” said Ison.
Ultimately, they want people to also attend Peacenic for resources on improving their quality of life, such as help with record expungements and licensing matters.
“So often while we’re out here promoting the Peacenic, they’re telling us some of their issues, and we’re trying to see if we can respond,” Ison said. “Oftentimes when Deputy Mayor Bettison has been out here with me, there have been several issues that have been pointed out, and he’s been able to see it firsthand by hearing it from them and respond and likewise, us.”
Members of the community seem to love the idea.
“It makes me feel good,” said Chonte Patterson. “It really does. I’ve been here since 2009, so it makes me feel good.”
The next Peacenic will be on June 15, with one on the city’s east side and the other on the west side, and leaders are urging people to attend.
