Latest news with #WeAreLinden
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Linden neighborhood pushes anti-violence message
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Now that the warmer months are here, community groups are out in force working to put an end to gun violence. Historically, more violent crimes in central Ohio take place during the warmer months, with the community groups working to keep Columbus' homicides for the year under triple digits. From now until October, community advocates and groups will be walking around Linden, raising awareness and handing out various flyers filled with resources. Organizers said the goal of these walks is to educate children and adults and to see a decrease in gun violence. Teen on the mend after tree falls into house during storm 'Over the past five or six years, the murder rate has been very high, and we want to make sure that we want to do our part in decreasing gun violence,' Linden Community Stop the Violence founder Derrick Russell said. It's been a decade since Columbus has seen fewer than 100 homicides per year. According to newly released homicide numbers from the Columbus Division of Police, there have been fewer homicides so far this year than there have been in several years; however, May has been the deadliest month of the year so far. 'It's a more bigger problem than just young people carrying guns,' We Are Linden founder Ralph Carter said. 'A lot of it is misplaced anger and a lot of hidden trauma that these young people are dealing with and for them, the easiest outlet is retaliation or just result in negative acts.' With school coming to an end and the weather getting warmer, community leaders like Russell and Carter said now is the time to get outside, connect with youth, and offer resources. On Monday, a group got together for their annual End Gun Violence Community Walk. 'We want the gun violence to continue to decrease, and we want to see a better increase in education for our youth,' Russell said. 'We want them to come out. We want them to start to be more productive citizens.' Columbus approves $2.5 million for new fire engine For Jaylin Garel, being involved with these events is important. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his brother struggled mentally. He's now found purpose in helping others. 'It's to show them that they have a village behind them, like, a lot of youth have a missing father figure or just a missing figure in the household and it's to show them that the mom or whoever that guardian is in the house that your village can back you,' Garel said. The next walks are set to take place June 16 and 23 at North Columbus Preparatory Academy; July 14 and 21 at Dollar Plus on Cleveland Avenue; Aug. 18 and 25 is at Linden Recreation Center; on Sept. 15 and 22, groups will gather at True Love Ministries; and the last two events will be Oct. 20 and 27 at the Northern Lights Shopping Center. All walks will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Group works to keep kids safe as Columbus homicide numbers at record low
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus Police data shows the city's homicide rate is the lowest it's been year-to-date in more than a decade. Police report 16 homicides in the city so far this year. The data shows this is the first time the city's year-to-date homicide rate is below 20 since before 2013. Ralph Carter, the founder of the group We Are Linden, said he thinks what is helping slow the violence is collaboration with the community. Ohio State police investigating reports of hidden cameras in residence hall 'Sixteen is still a really big number, you know, we always say, you know, again, one life loss is still one life too many, but you can see that the work is being done and just continue to apply that work,' Carter said. 'From collaboration, the city is pouring into organizations such as us, We Are Linden, and others just continue to do the work.' Carter said there is still work to be done and data shows youth violence historically picks up in the summer, which is why We Are Linden is Project Safe Summer in partnership with North Columbus Preparatory Academy in Linden. Carter said North Columbus Preparatory Academy will act as a hub for activities in the summer to keep kids productive and out of trouble. 'We have 18 classrooms here, so we're trying to fill them all up with young people and just organizations that's willing to come work with our youth,' Carter said. North Columbus Preparatory Academy Principal Ernest White said he wanted to get involved with the program to have a positive impact on the kids; he hopes to mentor as well. Central Ohio biotech firm shuts down, with over 200 employees laid off 'Growth within our community, students, you know, having some positive things to do for the summer, work on reading, math, social, emotional learning and just to be around some people that's positive,' he said. 'That can be mentorships, do some mentoring so that they can grow and help families as well.' White said this will also teach the kids accountability in the summer. So far, the students he has talked to about Project Safe Summer are excited. White used to work in criminal justice, and since switching to the education field, he said he has seen violence impact his students. 'You see it and it's heartbreaking and even talking to those offenders, it's like, 'What happened?' And some of them say, 'I had two great parents,' and some said, 'I didn't have that positive relationship with someone in the school, someone in the community,'' White said. Police data shows three out of the 16 homicide victims so far this year are juveniles. Camp-themed taproom to open in former Marysville brewery 'We have to continue to push the needle to hold everyone accountable because it takes a village to help raise these children and do what's right and show it on the right path,' Carter said. Carter said enrollment for Project Safe Summer is now open. To register, contact Carter through We Are Linden or contact North Columbus Preparatory Academy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
