Mayor Curry & Bishop John Guns talk change, solutions for violence in Ken Knight Community

City and community leaders want neighbors concerned about violent crime to know that change is coming.

On Thursday, Mayor Lenny Curry, Bishop John Guns of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, amoung other leaders, listened to concerns from neighbors living in the Ken Knight Drive community.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole spent the afternoon talking to neighbors in the area.

Some are grateful the Mayor Curry made the trip, while others were skeptical.

On Thursday evening, Cole learned another step has been taken to secure the funding for local organizations.

Councilman Reggie Gaffney, said the finance committee has approved the proposal for the $300,000 grant, which is set to fund local grassroots and faith-based organizations dedicated to keep children off the streets.

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Gaffney also told Action News Jax that 14 council members are now on board with the proposed grant.

If all continues to work out as planned, Gaffney said organizations will be able to apply for mini-grants as early as the end of next week.

“No city is perfect, no state is perfect, no country is perfect, but I pray that a higher good is always, we're always called to a higher good.

That's what this is about today,” Guns said.

Guns and Mayor Curry starting a dialogue with the Ken Knight Drive community is a fist step to stop the violence.

“In the end, the soft piece that all of us can do that can change the city is (geting) involved in the life of a young person who needs it,” Mayor Curry said.

While Curry and city council members are still working to secure the $300,000 for local organizations, city councilwoman Ju'coby Pittman said they have no need to worry.

"I will make this promise to you. This is for grassroots. It's not put in the total budget of Kids Hope Alliance,” Pittman said.

And for those who think this event was just a photo-op, "The facts are, I'm in the neighborhoods frequently." Curry said. "I take the information back and get things done and act on those things. Those are just a person's opinion.  I'm just going to keep doing my job and showing up and listening to people and working for people,”

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Two people who've been living in the area for a number of years told Cole that while it's their first time seeing Mayor Curry in their area, they hope it's not the last.

“It was a good feeling for me. It means a lot to me,” said Paula Campbell. She told Action News Jax she’s been living in the area for years.

“That's the beginning. We're trying to get something started. Let's hope we can go further with it,” said Elmore Martin, Jr., a resident of the Ken Knight community for more than 50 years.

Cole spoke to local activist Hope Mcmath, who said she’s been working in the Ken Knight community for the last 11 months.

She told Action News Jax that violence isn't the only problem Mayor Curry needs to tackle. "The most important thing is that residents have the lead voice in identifying what needs to be done in this community,” McMath said.

Mayor Curry says he has every intention of improving conditions for neighbors, but says there must be an open line of communication.

"We need to be aware of the problem. We walk the neighborhood when it's not raining, we'll hear from those residents. But right now, today, call 630-CITY and tell us what you need." Mayor Curry also encouraged people to tweet him, as well @lennycurry.

Cox Media Group