TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Now that students are back in school, Tallahassee leaders are wrapping up a summer program created to curb violent crime in the city.
City leaders are calling this summer's "Neighbors on the Block" event a success. The initiative spanned 10 Tallahassee neighborhoods. It started in June, as a way to take back the streets, and end a rash of violence in the capital city.
Mayor Andrew Gillum says more than 4,000 flyers were handed out, and more than 300 volunteers took part. Gillum says he believes the initiative has shown residents, that these neighborhoods have not been forgotten about.
Heart to Heart Christian Academy is near the Jack Mclean center where several of the "Neighbors on the Block" events took place. The principal, Natalia Mack, says they're seeing a positive change in the community and their students since the neighbors on the block launch, "I do know that some of the students here on changing their perspective in general, as it pertains to police.They're actually having positive interactions because of increased police activity in the neighborhood."
The school now plans to build on this progress by creating their very own curriculum to improve student relationships with law enforcement. They say part of that curriculum might include letting students eat lunch with police officers. They eventually hope to expand the program throughout the city.
