INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (NETWORK INDIANA): An Indianapolis minister says it‘s time for the entire state of Indiana to get serious about urban violence.
Rev. Charles Ellis of the Ten Point Coalition says the state needs to take more of a holistic approach to tackling crime. He says crime and violence are public health threats and should be treated as such.
Rev. Ellis says the approach should include mandatory minimum sentences for convicted killers and holding people accountable for their crimes.
However, Ellis adds the state needs to also address the issues of mental health, the economy and lack of jobs which contribute to hopelessness and can often lead to violence.
This follows the recent quadruple homicides on the Westside of Indianapolis. Ellis and other members of the Ten Point Coalition are planning a public “Ten Point Peace March Against Violence” on Sunday. Rev. Ellis says the goal is to raise awareness about the issue of gun violence and to get the community galvanized around the issue.
