COLUMBUS, Ohio – A group of mothers in Columbus, Ohio are spearheading a campaign to reduce the city’s homicide rate in 2024. The initiative, known as Operation Under Triple Digits, aims to bring the number of homicides in the city to fewer than 100 for the year. This effort comes in the wake of 149 recorded homicides in 2023, prompting the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children to take action.
The group, comprised of mothers who have lost children to gun violence, is joined by community leaders, elected officials, faith leaders, and law enforcement in their quest to make a significant impact. Mechelle Leon, a member of the group who lost her son to gun violence in 2009, emphasized the importance of coming together as a city to address the issue. She stressed that the impact of violence reaches far and wide, affecting everyone in the community.
Deputy Chief Smith Weir of the Columbus Division of Police expressed optimism about the group’s goal, emphasizing the need for a collective commitment to reducing violence in the city. Key strategies identified to bring down the homicide rate include removing guns from the streets and providing positive activities and role models for the city’s youth.
The initiative has garnered support from various sectors of the community, with individuals being encouraged to join the Operation Triple Digits Pledge. The group’s ambitious yet realistic goal is a significant step towards addressing the pressing issue of gun violence in the city.
In conclusion, the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children, alongside community leaders, elected officials, and law enforcement, are working towards reducing the city’s homicide rate to fewer than 100 in 2024. Their efforts underscore the importance of a collective commitment to addressing gun violence and providing positive alternatives for the city’s youth to combat the issue.