Legislators, religious leaders, police officers and others will convene this month for a conference meant to broaden the discussion about violent crime across Arkansas, which one organizer said Friday has created a "public health epidemic."
The Little Rock conference, from Oct. 13-16, will include discussions between law enforcement officers and faith leaders; a youths and parents meeting; a young adults forum focused on fatherless children; and panel discussions about mental health, education and other topics.
"One of the big things about the conference is not to tell people what to do, but to figure out where can everybody plug in to find solutions," said state Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, one of the conference's co-chairmen. "There are a lot of people who want to be a part of finding answers, but there is no platform for it."
The Center for Healing Hearts and Spirits, which connects crime victims to a variety of services, has organized the annual crime conference since 2002.
"Violent crime in Arkansas has become a public health epidemic," said Joyce Raynor, the center's executive director. "We can't keep saying that and echoing that any louder."
Law enforcement agencies across Arkansas reported 15,526 violent crimes in 2015, according to the most recent data available through the FBI, up 9 percent from 2014 and the highest total since at least 2004.
In Little Rock, 45 homicides were reported through Monday, up from 26 in the same span last year. More than 2,500 violent crimes had been reported in the capital city as of Monday, up 16 percent from the same time in 2016. The Little Rock Police Department has mandated overtime and requested Arkansas State Police help to patrol city streets.
State Sen. David Sanders, R-Little Rock; Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane; and Suffragan Bishop Frank Stewart are also co-chairmen of the conference.
"I think it really matters that this is a bipartisan effort," Elliott said at a lightly attended news conference Friday outside the state Capitol.
Lane, a former Benton Police Department chief, said drugs are a "considerable factor" in crime statewide. At the conference, he will provide data on where drugs are most prevalent.
"I believe I have a responsibility to do everything in my power to reduce the incidents of crime and violence in this state," said Dwayne Robinson, pastor of Changed Life Ministries. "As a pastor, as a crime victims' advocate and as a father, I will take the lead in speaking out, standing up and pushing back the devastation that crime leaves in our cities and our state."
Angela Williams of West Palm Beach, Fla., founder of the Mothers Against Murderers Association, will attend the conference, Raynor said.
Attendance is free, and registration information is available at www.hhscenter.org.
Metro on 10/01/2017