Pine Bluff rings bell, remembers homicide victims

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – On Monday at Elm Grove Baptist Church — pastors, deputies and community members gathered to pray and remember those affected by gun violence.

Twelve rings , for the 12 families of homicide victims affected by gun violence in Pine Bluff this year. Followed by three more – for the city, the state, and the nation.

Leon Jones Sr., Faith Community Church pastor, said this is a call to those who are hurting in the community.

“We hear your cry. We see your tears. And we’re here to mourn with you. And also, to lift you up so we can move on to a better place,” Jones said.

Police Department Chief Deputy Shirley Warrior, mentioned a new initiative at the event, called ‘Glock 40.’ The plan for this initiative is to take the 40 blocks of Pine Bluff most involved with crime, and make sure that those blocks are kept clean and have a police presence.

“We’re just not going to hide in this hole anymore. We’re taking our community back,” Warrior said.

The 181-year-old bell signifies that change and the effort the community is taking to make it happen. Warrior said it’s heartbreaking to see where the community is heading, and says it needs to stop.

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