Mobile’s Stop the Madness rally brought local businesses, churches and community groups together in June 2009 with the goal of steering teenagers away from gangs and crime.
Organizers said the event aimed to offer young people positive options, including contact with local businesses, jobs and community involvement.
Community-led prevention effort
Program coordinator Denise Patterson said young people can drift without positive opportunities to pursue. Denise Harris Wells of Remington College said organizers wanted residents and institutions to take part in solutions for safer neighborhoods.
A display at the rally included a collage memorializing young people killed by violence in Mobile County during the preceding three years. The event focused on prevention and community engagement rather than individual cases.
Historical account
This article records the aims of the 2009 rally and does not state later program results, participation totals or the status of the organizations involved.