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See a map of recent shootings in Waterloo.
Antonio Moore, 19, center Jerrone Mabry, 16, right, speak to a forum Thursday regarding the gun violence of recent months in Waterloo about their experiences living north of the cedar River and how they want people to know not everyone hanging out together are in a gang even if some people in the group are in some type of gang.(RICK TIBBOTT/ Courier Staff Photographer) Neighborhood
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Forum calls for end to gunfire
By JEFF REINITZ, Courier Staff Writer
WATERLOO — Antonio Moore, a 19-year-old who was shot at during a recent string of violence, doesn’t think there’s much the community can do to make neighborhoods safe.
Some kids will just do what they want, the teenager said.
Moore, whose windshield was shot but who wasn’t hit by a bullet, and his 16-year-old brother, Jerrone Mabry, spoke briefly during a Thursday night meeting to discuss the outbreak of shootings over past weeks.
Since the beginning of July, six people have gone to the hospital with bullet wounds.
And residents gathered at City Hall’s council chambers Thursday to discuss the violence and talk about solutions in a brainstorming session that spilled into an adjacent meeting room.
“I’m hopeful because we had a group of people there who usually aren’t at the table,” said the Rev. Belinda Creighton-Smith of Faith Temple Church, who brought the two youths.
“It says folks are concerned. We’re all impacted by this,” she said.
Mabry said there is a misconception everyone involved in the violence has gang connections.
He said sometimes people assume someone is in a gang because they have a friend or relative in a gang.
Police Chief Tom Jennings reiterated his call for witnesses to the violence to come forward so officers can build cases against the shooters.
“We need to work together, and more cops alone isn’t going to fix that,” Jennings said.
He said there have been about 18 incidents since July 1.
In response to the shootings, the police department has increased its patrol force and doubled the size of the Citizens Response Unit.
That unit is a group of officers assigned to build their own cases in trouble spots.
Police have made five arrests in connection with the attacks, and searched 10 homes that resulted in the seizure of firearms.
Attendees said they want to offer mentoring for parents and youth, tap into psychology and social work programs at local universities for help, put together a catalog of social service resources and set up an internet bulletin board to allow free discussion of issues.
Perry Goodman, the city’s neighborhood services coordinator, said the next step is to come up with ways to put the goals into action.
An earlier meeting between members of neighborhood associations in the troubled areas produced a list of five goals, said Mary Potter with the Church Row Neighborhood Association.
The goals include implementing zero tolerance for infractions; streamlining communication between the police, drug task force and code enforcement; establishing a 10 p.m. curfew for minors; taking steps to increase landlord responsibility; and increasing parental responsibility.
“If the kids are in trouble, so are you,” Potter said.
Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.
Some kids will just do what they want, the teenager said.
Moore, whose windshield was shot but who wasn’t hit by a bullet, and his 16-year-old brother, Jerrone Mabry, spoke briefly during a Thursday night meeting to discuss the outbreak of shootings over past weeks.
Since the beginning of July, six people have gone to the hospital with bullet wounds.
And residents gathered at City Hall’s council chambers Thursday to discuss the violence and talk about solutions in a brainstorming session that spilled into an adjacent meeting room.
“I’m hopeful because we had a group of people there who usually aren’t at the table,” said the Rev. Belinda Creighton-Smith of Faith Temple Church, who brought the two youths.
“It says folks are concerned. We’re all impacted by this,” she said.
Mabry said there is a misconception everyone involved in the violence has gang connections.
He said sometimes people assume someone is in a gang because they have a friend or relative in a gang.
Police Chief Tom Jennings reiterated his call for witnesses to the violence to come forward so officers can build cases against the shooters.
“We need to work together, and more cops alone isn’t going to fix that,” Jennings said.
He said there have been about 18 incidents since July 1.
In response to the shootings, the police department has increased its patrol force and doubled the size of the Citizens Response Unit.
That unit is a group of officers assigned to build their own cases in trouble spots.
Police have made five arrests in connection with the attacks, and searched 10 homes that resulted in the seizure of firearms.
Attendees said they want to offer mentoring for parents and youth, tap into psychology and social work programs at local universities for help, put together a catalog of social service resources and set up an internet bulletin board to allow free discussion of issues.
Perry Goodman, the city’s neighborhood services coordinator, said the next step is to come up with ways to put the goals into action.
An earlier meeting between members of neighborhood associations in the troubled areas produced a list of five goals, said Mary Potter with the Church Row Neighborhood Association.
The goals include implementing zero tolerance for infractions; streamlining communication between the police, drug task force and code enforcement; establishing a 10 p.m. curfew for minors; taking steps to increase landlord responsibility; and increasing parental responsibility.
“If the kids are in trouble, so are you,” Potter said.
Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.
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jcbr wrote on Aug 1, 2008 10:43 PM:
" Dont these shooters realize they couldbe shooting a brother sister mother father or a grand=parent ? By shooting someone you waste lives yours and whoever you kill plus detroy the lives of your beloved family . Please think of the people who love and care for you . The different color of skin is still a human life .Obey and respect your parents by the same token they should respect you too . There is good in everybody and bad let the good side out . tnks "
siloa wrote on Aug 3, 2008 8:21 AM:
" Some kids will just do what they want, the teenager said.
Thats all that needs to be said, these misguided children need a wake up call, their parents need to be held accountable and our good tax paying citizens need to demand more police and a bigger jail to lock the ones up who refuse to abide with societies basic rules. "
Thats all that needs to be said, these misguided children need a wake up call, their parents need to be held accountable and our good tax paying citizens need to demand more police and a bigger jail to lock the ones up who refuse to abide with societies basic rules. "
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kraut wrote on Aug 1, 2008 2:39 PM: