The Goal: Reducing Nashville’s Rising Murder Rate
Belmont University is inviting the media to cover a very important anti-violence symposium on the Belmont campus at 2 p.m. today that is intended to lead to solutions to help reduce Nashville’s rising homicide rate. The Nashville Against Violence Symposium is set for 2-4 p.m., today, (Thursday, Jan. 19) in the Vince Gill Room at the Curb Event Center. The Rev. Ray Hammond, M.D., of Boston’s Bethel AME Church, founder of the Ten Point Coalition, which was successful in reducing Boston’s rising murder rate, will lead a conversation about possible ways to address the homicide problem in our city. The by-invitation event is open to the media.
In 1992, with Boston’s homicide rate skyrocketing, Rev. Hammond brought together urban pastors, the Boston mayor’s office, and leaders among the police and judiciary. The effort, called the Ten Point Coalition, was so successful at reducing the city’s murder rate that that other cities began adopting similar methods.
Belmont University President Dr. Robert Fisher is convening the Nashville Against Violence symposium, which will also feature Metro Police Chief Ronal Serpas, Tennessean columnist Dwight Lewis, and community and church leaders from across the city.
Dr. Hammond went to Harvard at age 15, Harvard Medical School at 19, and became a surgeon. He also earned an advanced degree in religion from Harvard. He went on to found Bethel African Methodist Episcopal, and eventually laid down his stethoscope (and 90 percent of his income) to serve as a pastor in one of the poorest areas of Boston.
