MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Guns, gangs and crime are commonplace in many Frayser apartment complexes, but not if Lifeline to Success has anything to do about it. They're hoping to change the tone of what happens there by enlisting one resident at a time.
“Every door you knock on you're attempting to save a life,” DeAndre Brown said.
With that Brown made it clear the stakes are high.
Lifeline to Success is rallying residents to join a neighborhood alliance to crack down on crime.
“I want the community to know that until we become fed up with crime, crime will continue. But when we get fed up it's up to us as American citizens to do our duty and report what we see,” Brown said.
More than 60 volunteers are taking that message to the street along with news of an incentive for those willing to take the first step.
“It's a $200 prize if you come to the meeting,” one volunteer told a resident.
The message is not falling on deaf ears. "We had two people that just signed up," said volunteer Tarshonda Cooper. "They were willing and ready to sign up."
“No matter what apartment complex, no matter what part of town you're talking about, neighbors looking out for neighbors and taking care of one another and doing the right thing is really what's going to impact this community,” said Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich.
It was a fitting message for Martin Luther King Day.
“I don't know if he would approve of things we took advantage of and what we're not taking advantage of with all the opportunities we have, so it has to start somewhere, somebody has to do something,” Anthony Massey said.
The group says this is a good start and proof the dream is not out of reach.
