Operation Ceasefire provides boost to other grassroots crime-fighting efforts - WBAL Baltimore

BALTIMORE —

Operation Ceasefire is being hailed as successful in terms of getting more people involved in community projects to stop the violence in Baltimore, and it's providing a boost to other grassroots crime-fighting efforts.

Community advocates in Baltimore's Oliver neighborhood address issues that are often at the root of crime. Despite pouring rain Monday morning, the advocates worked the street corners, delivering hope in a neighborhood often filled with despair.

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"That's how you face crime, you have to come out in the community. You have to come out behind those walls. You have to be out here on the foot and say, 'Hey, this is what we can help you with. If you don't want help, you will be held accountable for your actions,'" said Gary Crum, an Oliver Community Advocate.

Four people suffered gunshot wounds in the past week on the same corner where the advocates worked Monday. The advocates want to partner with police and city officials to expand their reach, but they feel like their pleas are falling on deaf ears.

"No one is just going to talk with the police, right? You got to lean on us because we know what's going on in our communities," said Earl Johnson, an Oliver Community Advocate.

The advocates know who the repeat offenders are and who could use a hand up.

"We also work with some of the ex-felons in the community by helping them with jobs by collaborating with (Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development), and trying to get them to go to Turn Around Tuesdays," Crum said.

The community leaders organize youth activities for those 13 and younger. The idea is to engage them in something positive, so they are less likely running in the streets doing something negative.

"We do basketball training, football training. We have cheerleading. We have modeling, home economics. We do a lot of things. We find out what the child likes. It's not what we like. It's what the child likes. You've got to know and understand the child," said Keyon Hohnson, an Oliver community youth mentor.

"We are not the police. We are not city officials. We are just residents trying to show some love to the community," Johnson said.

According to community leaders, the strategy is working. Crime dropped in Oliver last year, and although it's starting to creep up this year, advocates are confident they will persevere.

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