2008 Woodie Awards
New gang awareness Web site packs the power of information
MySpace, mixed martial arts, and free tattoo removal among the methods of outreach
Bill Harding
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: News
In recent months, a string of violence and gang activity has grabbed the attention of the Clarksville community. Parents, neighbors, youth, elected officials, faith leaders, law enforcement officials and educators have put their heads together to change the tide. The "Stop the Violence" forum held in July was the start of the Clarksville Gang Awareness Task Force. "There are 278 members on the Clarksville Police force," said Terry McMoore, director of the Urban Resource Center. "Clarksville now has a population of 130,000 and I would like to establish 130,000 pairs of eyes that could compliment those 278. We wanted a way to take back the community."
The group has enlisted the expertise of graphic designer David W. Shelton as their webmaster. Today launched S.E.C.U.R.E, the "Safe & Effective Community Using Resources for Empowerment" gang awareness and educational Web site. The site is an accumulation of information from at least 20 different Web sites, as well as the Justice Department, the San Diego education assistance commission, the San Antonio police department and the San Antonio county education system. "This Web site is going to be power-packed," said the Rev. Tommy Vallejos, associate pastor at Faith Outreach Church here in Clarksville. The amount of gang knowledge "will cause it to be the number one website in the nation."
The Rev. Vallejos is no stranger to gang violence. His family has been involved with gang violence since the 1960's, several losing their lives, and many ending up in prison. Vallejos was offered the option to joining the military or going to prison after he shot and paralyzed a man in 1980. "Pastor Vallejos brings real life experience. He has been down that path," McMoore said.
McMoore said that the group is also working with state representative Joe Pitts, a former Clarksville resident. "[He] was instrumental in making sure we added everything that we needed." He said their partnership with the school system and the police department will allow them to link Web sites in order to make more people aware of S.E.C.U.R.E. The group also plans on using the Parents Information Network (PIN), which already has 3,500 parents on their email list. In addition, by networking with the Clarksville Ministers Association, The Ripple Inc., and the local NAACP, McMoore hopes that the site will gain exposure quickly.
The group has enlisted the expertise of graphic designer David W. Shelton as their webmaster. Today launched S.E.C.U.R.E, the "Safe & Effective Community Using Resources for Empowerment" gang awareness and educational Web site. The site is an accumulation of information from at least 20 different Web sites, as well as the Justice Department, the San Diego education assistance commission, the San Antonio police department and the San Antonio county education system. "This Web site is going to be power-packed," said the Rev. Tommy Vallejos, associate pastor at Faith Outreach Church here in Clarksville. The amount of gang knowledge "will cause it to be the number one website in the nation."
The Rev. Vallejos is no stranger to gang violence. His family has been involved with gang violence since the 1960's, several losing their lives, and many ending up in prison. Vallejos was offered the option to joining the military or going to prison after he shot and paralyzed a man in 1980. "Pastor Vallejos brings real life experience. He has been down that path," McMoore said.
McMoore said that the group is also working with state representative Joe Pitts, a former Clarksville resident. "[He] was instrumental in making sure we added everything that we needed." He said their partnership with the school system and the police department will allow them to link Web sites in order to make more people aware of S.E.C.U.R.E. The group also plans on using the Parents Information Network (PIN), which already has 3,500 parents on their email list. In addition, by networking with the Clarksville Ministers Association, The Ripple Inc., and the local NAACP, McMoore hopes that the site will gain exposure quickly.
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Frank Xavier Lopez
posted 3/17/08 @ 1:24 PM CST
I have read what was written and I commend the man for helping and for his call to be a Pastor. My concern is for the kids that are labelized as "GANG MEMBERS" these children have been delt a bad hand in life. (Continued…)
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