Violent weekend yields 12 deaths

September 3, 2007 (WLS) -- It was a deadly weekend in the Chicago area as dozen people were killed, prompting a renewed call it stop the violence.

Dozens of others were injured in violence since Friday night. The incidents were not limited to one part of the city. There were weekend murder investigations underway into Chicago Heights and Calumet City. This comes as an organization that works to stop violence was forced to lay off workers.

One of the most violent incidents took place Sunday afternoon outside a funeral home in the 7800 block of South Cottage Grove in what investigators called an ambush. A drive-by shooter killed two young men and critically wounded a third.

"We need to get the guns," said Tio Hardiman of the anti-violence organization CeaseFire. "If we make sure we talk to both sides."

The larger than usual number of homicides was counted on the first weekend following the layoffs of about 125 outreach workers for CeaseFire. A $6.2 million cut in the new Illinois state budget left CeaseFire without adequate funding to keep those workers.

"What would have happened if we could have had our violence interrupters out there?" said Rev. Robin Hood. "This program needs to get back started tonight."

During Labor Day weekend last year, the city recorded only six homicides compared to this year's 12. But the overall Chicago murder count for 2007 is still nine bodies fewer than it was at this date in 2006.

Levon Stone knows how violent September's first weekend can be in Chicago. Fifteen years ago on Labor Day weekend, a bullet paralyzed Stone from the waist down.

"Every day is Labor Day because I live with it," said Stone. "My main objective is to make sure those that are just freshly getting paralyzed know that life goes on. You don't have to stop living."

Until last week, he worked for CeaseFire. He is now among the laid off employees, mostly former gang members and ex-convicts.

"When we are not in the streets people will take on violence as an option," said Levno Tims of CeaseFire. Officials say they will appeal to city officials for funding.

The pastor at a Chicago church believes a prayer program will reduce violence. Chris Harris of the Bright Star Church of God in Christ led a peace walk and went to the Wilson and King schools, where they prayed for an end to violence.

"We want to be sure the church joins the community and brings the services outside of the four walls of the church and begin to bridge the gap between pastors and principals, schools and churches," he said.

Harris said this is not a one-time event. The program will sponsor similar gatherings once a month.

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