Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Omaha's War on Crime: North & South Join Forces
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Omaha, NE - On the heels of bloodshed and bullets, dozens of community members try to get a handle on the danger. That includes Grace United Methodist Church Pastor Alberto Silva,
"There's a lot of graffiti in South Omaha, there's a lot of gang activity, there's a lot of things that can be addressed if we're just willing to help one another," says Pastor Silva.
Silva and his church group "El Puente" are joining forces with Pastor John Voner and "Enough is Enough." The coalitions train volunteers how to confront violence on the streets and fight it. The pastors hope, with word that north and south join forces, the city will unify in the fight against crime.
Pastor Silva says, "Whatever they're doing in North Omaha that's working, we should do in South Omaha. Whatever we're doing in South Omaha that's working, they should mirror in North Omaha."
Armed with prayer and programs, the coalitions take first steps to help each other and the community. A prayer march is planned for this Saturday at South High School. "El Puente" means "The Bridge" in Spanish.
Pastor Silva believes the march will help bridge a gap between communities. "I think the unique quality of it all is the coalition of African Americans and Latinos and people from South Omaha and North Omaha, " says Pastor Silva.
Reported by Kerri Stowell, kstowell@action3news.com.
