ENGLEWOOD — Englewood residents and members of Greater Saint John AME Church believe they have found a way to change negative perceptions about Englewood.
The group has created the “ChiLove: Code of Care” campaign aimed at countering the negative attention brought by the violence when it's reported by the media, the group said.
“Greater Saint John AME Church feels they can change the negative perception of crime and violence that retards the growth of Englewood by influencing residents to become a part of their movement to mobilize around the virtue of love ChiLove," the group said in a written statement.
The “Code of Care" calls for community accountability as well as individual responsibility.
The Rev. Kevin Andre Brooks, senior pastor of Greater Saint John AME Church, said promoting the campaign will “deliberately address the issue of violence that silence many of us with fear in our homes and communities."
Residents also need to get rid of the infamous “stop snitching” mindset when it comes to help solving crimes, Brooks said. That applies to police too: “The police code of silence associated with the tolerance of brutality and crimes committed by their fellow officers," he said.
The group plans to raise awareness around the issue and appeal to neighbors and district police officers. Group leaders said they want residents to be first community responders and police officers to build up trust.
Brooks said he is promoting “ChiLove” and the hashtags #safestsummerever2017 and #goodinenglewood.
Here's what residents can do, he said:
• Post the “ChiLove” logo on their Facebook wall or any social media outlet and share it with everyone they know and encourage them to do the same.
• Commit to hand-writing "ChiLove" letters to neighbors on their block.
• Join an anti-violence movement and organization in Englewood that inspires peace and love as an organizing tactic.
• Practice unlimited "ChiLove" in their daily life such as sharing a healthy home-cooked meal, planting a garden, smiling more, atoning for past misunderstandings, being a role model, mentor and donating to a cause.
• Sing, dance or write a poem and share at the group's monthly Praise in the Park Celebration from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine Ave.
