Concerned citizens, groups work to stop violence in Charleston

CHARLESTON -- Concerned citizens and groups are joining forces to thwart violence in Charleston.

"Nobody in this town should fear being shot," said Charleston Department of Public Safety Chief Robert Hearnes said. "If you commit a crime with a gun, or try to tamper or intimidate a witness, you can expect an aggressive enforcement of the law and prosecution from all the law enforcement agencies in this county."

On Oct. 29, a group consisting of clergy, law enforcement, concerned citizens and non-government organizations of Mississippi County came together to show unified opposition to the recent violence plaguing our community, according to Hearnes.

"This group met at the (Mississippi County) Courthouse and urged the residents to come together for the common good and make the community a safe, drug-free place to live," Hearnes said. "The groups asked for the public's support and cooperation with the law enforcement and judicial system so that the criminals committing these violent acts will no longer operate with impunity."

There will be consequences for violent behavior, Hearnes said.

The groups represented in this coalition consisted of the St. Matthews Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, Opportunity Church of God in Christ, Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church, Perry Chapel A.M.E. Church, Charleston United Methodist Church, NAACP, Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center, office of the Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney, Mississippi County Sheriff's Department and the Charleston Department of Public Safety.

For the complete story, see the Thursday edition of the Standard Democrat.