Recent threat to Anderson anti-violence group not stopping them from patrolling streets
ANDERSON, Ind. — An anti-violence group in Anderson is working to keep the streets safe.
However, increasing crime and threats towards these groups in Central Indiana are making that mission even harder.
“There hasn’t been a whole lot of push back, the criminals realize they can commit crimes in broad daylight, and nobody is going to say anything and that’s the problem,” said Jason Fullington, the founder of the Madison County Hand-Up Initiative.
That’s exactly why Fullington started the anti-violence group in Anderson in 2022.
The group is made up of about 15 people who patrol the streets of Anderson one night a week.
He said crime has increased in Anderson and recent threats to groups like the Madison County Hand-Up Initiative have become more common.
“We understood that there was some risk involved when we first started doing this. If there was no risk involved, there would be no need for this. That being said as threats come, if they come, we’re not going to respond to them, we’re going to keep moving and doing our work,” said Fullington.
Fullington works closely with the Indy Ten Point Coalition’s Rev. Charles Harrison.
Harrison said these threats come with the territory, including a recent threat to the Anderson group.
“The team got information that they were being threatened if they continue to patrol in the area where the shooting occurred,” said Harrison.
Harrison said threats like this are targeting anti-violence groups across the country right now and it makes it harder to recruit people to help walk the streets.
“There are going to be people that are going to be scared because of the threats and my advice is work closely with law enforcement certainly to let law enforcement know what’s going on and continue to be vigilant in the work that they do in the streets,” said Harrison.
Harrison said he hopes the threats don’t deter anti-violence groups in central Indiana from continuing to fight crime.
“They cannot allow that to prevent them from doing the good work that they do,” said Harrison.
Fullington says the Madison County Hand-Up Initiative is still looking for volunteers. To find out how you can help out, click here.
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