In the wake of October's mass shooting incident on Perry Street, Tallahassee is again wrestling with the tragedy of gun violence--especially among youth. Several community leaders are among those who are looking for solutions.
Tallahassee Urban League President Curtis Taylor says he believes preventing gun violence starts early.
“ We know it starts at home. If you do what you're supposed to be doing with 'Little Tommy,' and Little Tommy knows how to read and write and his colors before he goes to school, Little Tommy ain't going to be in school cuttin' up 'cause he's putting up a smoke screen because he don't want his peers to know he really don't know his name."
Tallahassee has seen a rash of gun violence in recent weeks. The Tallahassee Democrat has been keeping a running total of gun violence for the past several years. For the period of January first through October 27th this year, it's logged at least 51 shootings, resulting in 13 fatalities and 47 people injured. Many of those shootings involved young people. The shooting on Perry Street following Florida A&M University’s homecoming football game left a dozen people injured including children. A fifteen year old was later arrested. That shooting sparked numerous responses in the community including a discussion led by the Tallahassee Urban League.
"You have to start early, you have to work in all those aspects, in all age levels. But you got to start early. Got to start with the home as early as we possibly can."
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell is among those looking for solutions. He says in addition to pushing for changes at home,
"I believe the churches can lead that charge."
The Reverend R.B. Holmes, pastor of the city's historic Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, agrees. He says at-risk children need positive behavior reinforcement as soon as possible, whether in or outside the home.
"You got to teach that. It's a process. And it doesn't happen overnight. And we can't do this politically. One of the handicaps with the Children's Services Council is the governor appointed 5 people to that board. So it becomes political and not prophetic."
Instead, Holmes suggests a partnership between public schools and neighborhood churches. Like his.
"We know every Title One school has to have a robust after-school program. Bethel has a major family life center. We have to continue to bring those boys in there and teach them, 'I am somebody.' Teach them how to read. How to have values. Put down the gun and pick up a book. Put down the dope and pick up hope."
Jeff Binkley's connection to gun violence is very personal. His daughter, Maura, was shot to death, along with Dr. Nancy Van Vessem, at the Hot Yoga studio in 2018. Since the tragedy, Binkley has studied the issue relentlessly. He's convinced there are almost always warning signs long before any trigger is pulled.
"There are people that we know are demonstrably dangerous. And there is an unacceptably high likelihood that they will get their hands on, even if they're 14 or 15 or 13 more and more, on a firearm and sometimes an effective one at killing, and harm people with it."
As for early exposure to religion, Binkley believes that may provide young people with a positive influence.
"It's good for society as a whole when that ethos is one of love and responsibility and accountability and looking at each other as sisters and brothers."
But he also thinks early and regular church attendance may not solve every problem.
"People have mental issues, some of which may be diagnosed as mental illness. Does that make them a likely killer? Not necessarily. But in today's environment, it makes them very vulnerable."
Binkley says he believes addressing gun violence will take recognizing the issue as a national emergency. Although he's not holding his breath.
"It's generally young people - kids - who are losing their lives. Their families, their loss. And again there seems to be effective indifference if you look at our society and body politic as a whole."
That indifference is something that at least some concerned people in Tallahassee seem determined to overcome.
