As community leaders in Benton Harbor look to reduce violent crime, one idea they’re considering is holding another 21 Days of Peace.
Pastor Maurice McAfee of Bethel Baptist Church tells us the last 21 Days of Peace was back during COVID, when people were cooped up in their homes and tensions were rising. He says church leaders got out on the streets to talk with people to let them know someone cares and they haven’t been forgotten.
“What we did was we went into certain parts of the city, talked to people and had prayer,” McAfeee said. “I think actually Chief McGinnis and Deputy Clark have statistics that when we were out in the community like that, gun violence actually went down. We had maybe a couple of shots, but it was not like it was prior. So one of the things that my team is talking about doing is just getting back out into the community, on the streets, talking to people.”
McAfee says since COVID, people seem isolated and angry. He wants to spread the love again to reduce pent up aggression.
McAfee is thinking of another 21 Days of Peace, possibly for next spring. With the winter now approaching, outdoor parties and other gatherings that lead to problems this summer may be ending anyway. Community leaders want a plan for engaging young people moving forward.
McAfee says a 21 Days of Peace effort also takes some time to prepare.
