Pine Bluff joins in on National Night Out, working to find ways to end violence in the community

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Tuesday marks National Night Out across the country and community members in Pine Bluff are working on ways to end violence in the community for good.

There was a large turnout at the Pine Bluff Convention Center, with not only city law enforcement but county, state and military officials joining alongside city leaders for one-on-one conversations aimed at ending crime.

National Night Out is a time when the community gets together with officers who serve and protect them to ask questions and spark conversations that help end violence in its community.

“I think the conversation is needed, strategies are needed to deal with crime, all kinds of crime,” Pine Bluff Pastor Jesse Turner said.

According to a report from the Pine Bluff Police Department , this year, between January and June, there have been 10 homicides, 76 commercial burglaries, 99 residential burglaries, 120 motor vehicle thefts and two vehicle fatalities.

“You see all of our cars, the officers there to communicate with them, saying we are not the bad guys, but we live here like you, and we want to be crime-free,” Pine Bluff Deputy Chief Shirley Warrior said.

Turner says it will take a lot more than a conversation; the community must come together and take action to help curb crime in his community.

“It’s about starting the conversation at a young age to try to get them to realize to not join the gangs, to not bully, to not pick up a gun, to go from non-violence to no-violence,” Turner said.

Delantia Tatum said having these discussions is important to her as a mother of two and someone living in Jefferson County.

“It’s really special to see our city officials and local government out here speaking with us,” Delantia Tatum said.

Family-friendly events help her find ways to get involved and have fun while learning that violence is not the answer.

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