Pubdate: Sat, 30 Mar 2002
Source: News-Times, The (CT)
Copyright: 2002 The News-Times
Contact:  http://www.newstimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/637
Author: Associated Press
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n397/a07.html
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n374/a04.html

COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS CAMPING OUT AGAINST CRIME

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Community activists are taking aim at crime in 
Hartford and have already started setting up the front lines of what they 
call a civil war.

The activists announced Friday they will begin camping out indefinitely in 
notorious drug neighborhoods in hopes of chasing away the dealers. There 
have been seven homicides in the city since January.

The activists were joined by members of the Hartford branch of the NAACP, 
politicians and church leaders at a City Hall rally to kick off the 
anti-crime campaign. Mayor Eddie Perez said the city would provide whatever 
help it could.

City police applauded the plans, which officials say foster effective 
cooperation between residents and police.

"They're not breaking any laws by doing it," said Hartford Police spokesman 
Lt. Neil Dryfe. "We certainly are supportive of any action that the 
community takes. It's very refreshing. It makes it a lot easier to come 
here and go to work every day."

The Rev. Cornell Lewis is among those planning to camp out. He and others 
have already helped rid a neighborhood of drug dealers with nine straight 
weeks of vigils, demonstrations and videotaping of drug suspects. He 
stressed the camp-out will be a nonviolent initiative, but noted 
participants are prepared for trouble.

"Anytime you go up against the oppressor, there's always a possibility of 
violence," Lewis said. "And we're prepared for that."
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