Rise in Violence Targeted

On the same day gun violence killed one man and injured two others, a coalition of community activists called on Mayor Richard Riordan to join them in combating a “wave of murders” that has recently surged in South Central Los Angeles.

At a news conference in Leimert Park, the activists released a plan dubbed “Murder Is Not Our Heritage.” It proposes conflict resolution teams in schools, increased family support, counseling services for at-risk youth and community pride campaigns.

“We have a crisis in our community,” said Earl Ofari Hutchinson, director of the National Alliance for Positive Action, which is leading the coalition. “Had these murders occurred in Westwood, it would be declared a national emergency.”

He said that at least 30 people have been shot and nearly a dozen murdered in South Central since the May 28 slaying of 20-year-old Lori Gonzalez, Police Chief Bernard C. Park’s granddaughter. Five people were wounded Sunday night in a drive-by shooting in the Crenshaw area.

After the news conference, another outburst of violence in Lynwood left one man dead and another in serious condition, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Sabrina Bennett. A third man was also treated at a hospital and released after suffering gunshot wounds in the shooting in the 1400 block of East 118th Street. Bennett said sheriff’s officials said the incident was under investigation.

Highlights of the activists’ plan include:

* At-Risk Identification Program to provide intervention support for those most at risk from violence and those likely to commit violent acts

* Gun Removal Days to initiate gun buybacks and turn-ins

* Toll-Free Community Violence Prevention Hotline to report acts of violence to intervention specialists and counselors

* Murder Violence Summit Committee to coordinate activities of groups and public agencies working to reduce violence.