MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
It's the first of it's kind: a commission on homicides and violent crimes is in the works with the Montgomery Police Department.
"Once a crime has been committed, the police comes in and investigate the crime, but we want to find out through the commission what are the strategies or why did this homicide occur, could we have prevented it," Banks said.
Captain Tyrone Banks is with the MPD Criminal Investigation Division. Captain Banks says juveniles account for most of the violent crimes in the city and the commission will focus on crimes committed by youth.
"Either the victim or the suspect are teenagers are in their early 20's," Captain Banks said.
He says the commission will be comprised of service providers and community leaders who will review violent crime cases and see what resources they can provide to help the youth who are committing these crimes.
This commission and collaborative effort is something Pastor Nettles and the enough is enough, stop the violence campaign has been pushing for.
"we have been praying for something like this to happen."
Dr. Albert Russell says we can't expect police to combat crime solo. He says it must take a community effort.
"I think that's excellent to bring all those resources together so when you meet these people, you can meet them where they are," Dr. Russell said.
Banks says it's community leaders and campaigns like enough is enough that have first hand knowledge that this commission needs.
"So this collaboration is a long time coming; I will just say it that way," Dr. Russell said.
Police got the idea after attending a conference with the Milwaukee Police Department.
Right now they have partnered with Auburn University Montgomery. Researchers there are conducting a study on violent crime in the area. The commission is expected to be in full swing in about three months.
Just to be clear, the commission on homicides and violent crimes is a part of the Montgomery police department and is not a part of the Faith-in-Youth Alliance city initiative.
But Captain Banks did say their will be a police representative working with the alliance and some of the organizations would serve on both initiatives.
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