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Crosscurrents

Can we end the cycle of violence in Oakland?

Audio available after 5pm.

Oftentimes, spiritual leaders are the ones we turn to, to help solve problems in our communities. One of those leaders is Reverend George Cummings of the Imani Community Church in Oakland. For years, he has been working in the local community to cut back the violence.  Recently, neighborhood advocates like Cummings have teamed up with the Oakland police to implement a violence prevention program called Ceasefire.  Reverend Cummings talked to KALW’s Holly Kernan about how it works.

REVEREND GEORGE CUMMINGS: Essentially, what the model does is identify who the drivers of violence are and provides them with an opportunity through the “call-ins” to hear from the community's law-enforcement and social service providers who deliver one simple message: "We want you to stop the shooting. And if you want to get out of ' the life ', we will help you begin to transform your life."

Click the audio player above to listen to the complete interview.

Crosscurrents