Fighting to keep Columbus’ murder numbers under triple digits
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Across Columbus, organizations are partnering up to address the city’s crime rate.
Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC) is leading the effort called Operation Under Triple Digits. The group is using a data-driven approach to try and reduce crime and keep Columbus’ number of homicides this year to under 100.
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On Sunday, East Livingston Avenue was lined with people holding signs, cheering and dancing, all to spread a message of peace and to ask people to put the guns down.
“Gun violence isn’t the answer,” Under Triple Digits advocate Jada Hickman said. “I’m out here because my older brother, Jarrin Hickman, he was killed by an act of gun violence. And also my older cousin.”
Many around her also lost a loved one to gun violence.
“We lost our brother, Andre De’Shaun Clayborn, one of the most incredible human beings you can ever meet,” The Son Son Foundation founder Andrew Clayborn said.
Others came out to support MOMCC while sharing a message of their own.
“I know the pain. I took my pain into passion,” Sonya Chapple, founder of India’s Purple Ribbon Against Domestic Violence, said.
Chapple lost her daughter to domestic violence. She said she knows what loss feels like, even if the cause is different.
“Any time that I can be out here support a mother that I know has been through or going through what I go through, I’m out here to support them,” Chapple said.
For many, Sunday’s gathering was emotional as they shared hugs, words and support. For everyone, the message was clear: stop the violence and the killings.
“Stop and think before you pull out a gun and destroy your life and somebody else’s life,” MOMCC member Victoria Landrum said.
“However you are hearing this message and you got a gun in your hand and you’re hurting, just cry out for help,” Clayborn said.
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As of April 15, the latest date for which figures from the Columbus Division of Police are available, there have been a total of 22 homicide investigations in Columbus for 2024; by comparison, last year by April 15, there were 52 homicide investigations in the city. This year’s figures represent the lowest year-to-date number in at least the previous seven years.
The group is asking everyone to take the pledge to keep the number of homicides in the city under triple digits.
So far, the website shows almost 180 signed pledges; 40 of those are students or teens under 18.
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