WASHINGTON — Seat Pleasant Mayor Eugene Grant wants to help curb a recent spike in violent crime in Prince George鈥檚 County, Maryland.
There were 54 homicides in 2014 and 79 in 2015. And just a few days into 2016, county police officers are investigating a possible homicide.
鈥淚 consider myself a spiritual person and I heard a voice from God that said, 鈥楲ook, enough is enough,鈥欌�� Grant said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got to do something. The time is now.鈥�
He said violence is a problem that鈥檚 almost become a normal way of life. Grant has spearheaded a yearlong 鈥淪top the Violence鈥� campaign that begins with a march and forum to be held Jan. 18 — or Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Grant said the march will begin at FedEx Field in Landover and hopes to draw more than 10,000 people. The mission of the march is to raise awareness about violence and empower them to stop it.
Grant said local residents — the Washington Redskins, the faith-based community, law enforcement and political leaders — are on board and have shown overwhelming support.
He said there will be a series of workshops, classes and seminars.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited about this opportunity that Prince George鈥檚 County will be the leader in this nation to stop the violence in the community,鈥� Grant said. 鈥淲e invite all Prince George鈥檚 County citizens to join our efforts.”
