“Stop the violence now” is the message the Sacramento Police Department hopes to get across to the communities of Sacramento that are most impacted by gang violence through its “Ceasefire” program. The program had its community kick-off event last July, but officially began in November. Captain Dan Schiele of the Sacramento Police Department said gang violence in Sacramento has always been an issue. “From 2009-2010, there was a 37 percent increase in crimes involving gang members,” said Rhonda Jackson, project director of Ceasefire. “There are over 4,600 gang members in Sacramento,” she said. The Ceasefire program originated in Boston. “Ceasefire has been chosen because the program m

On Monday, December 20th, I received two emails to attend the NAACP Press Conference scheduled for Tuesday December 21th, 2010 at 9:30am which ask for a Community to stand united “to engage in a process that will result in a strategic plan to end the senseless violence that has been occurring in our city.” With all my heart and outrage I wanted to attend the conference. But with such short notice I was unable to get the morning off of work. Since I was not at the Press Conference and read an article in the daily paper which concerns me I am writing this open letter to the “Mayor, Leaders, Activists”, standing united. To be honest I was both excited and disappointed. I am genuinely excite

I was sitting in my garage with the garage door open. My friend was at my home using my dryer. It was such a nice evening.  I felt so relaxed. My son asked, 'Mom can I go around the corner to Tony's house." It was approximately 7:30pm. I know Tony and his family and knew he would be okay going to Tony's house. Unfortunately I didn't know what would occur next.  As I talked to my friend I watched my son walk to the corner. I smiled as she said, "He sure is getting big and handsome." I looked at him walking with the cute skip he had as a child and said, "Yes, and he's still my baby." My son turned the corner. As soon as he turned the corner I heard a "POW" It sounded familiar. It sounded