Grandmothers Team Up Against Gun Violence

Hattie Sills receives a certificate of recognition from New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly ( R) and NYPD Chief of Housing Joanne Jaffe (L) as a participant in the Grandmother LOV (Love Over Violence) program at 1 Police Plaza, the NYPD Headquarters in Manhattan on July 24. (Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—A roomful of grandmothers eating bacon and eggs listened intently as Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly stood at the podium to talk about gun violence.

“I thank you for coming to stand up for what’s right,” Kelly said at One Police Plaza Tuesday. “You have created your own network. ... Things are getting better in Brooklyn; you are making a difference.”

The grandmothers were at a breakfast ceremony to receive recognition for their efforts against gun violence. All 45 belong to a Brooklyn-based support group called Grandmothers Love Over Violence (LOV).

Inez Rodriguez, 59, slowly moved toward the platform aided by a walker to receive her award. Her red-dyed hair and pedicured feet a clue to her adamant will and hope.

“They think they can mess with Ms. Rodriguez, that ain’t gonna happen,” she said.

Rodriguez has been with LOV since it started in 2010.

The group was formed by the NYPD-Brooklyn Clergy Coalition to help grandmothers who are the caretakers for young men at risk of violent behavior.

Tina Peace, 56, joined the group after her daughter was murdered last October. Peace has been left to take care of her grandchildren alone. “[It] helps you cope with what happened, we just joined together,” she said of LOV.

Rodriguez cheered for her group members as they received their awards. As Peace received her award, Rodriguez called out, “That’s my sister that always rolls with me—she earned that thing.”

Rodriguez said LOV is irreplaceable in the community. She has received several calls on the group’s hotline from grandmothers who felt alone and lacked the resources to help their troubled grandchildren.

Guns Off Streets

The NYPD-Brooklyn Clergy Coalition has sponsored six gun buy-back events in its churches since 2010, resulting in the surrender of 625 weapons as of February this year.

With no questions asked, neighbors can earn $200 worth of bankcards for handing over working handguns, and $20 for rifles or BB guns, according to the NYPD’s Operation Gun Stop program.

Citizens who want to turn in weapons can do so anonymously at police stations citywide every day of the week and receive $100.

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