LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — ONE Lexington is launching a monthlong community safety initiative at the Falcon Crest apartment complex following what the organization describe as an increase in community violence and two recent shootings in the neighborhood.
In a Facebook post Monday, the city violence prevention program announced it is increasing its presence in the area from July 20 through Aug. 15 to provide additional support for youth and families while students are out of school.
"Children were present. And that's just unacceptable for them to have to experience that, for those families to get hit with that trauma over and over again. We have to do something, not just as a city but as a community," Devine Carama said.
The effort, called the Falcon Crest Community-Based Safety Action Plan, builds on a similar strategy used last year in the Centre Parkway area, according to the organization. ONE Lexington said that partnership with the Tates Creek Community Coalition, Tates Creek Academies and public safety agencies helped reduce criminal activity.
"Just because it wasn't a fatal shooting or just because everybody may not have felt gunfire, everybody in that complex is feeling something, so we want to help them heal," Carama said.
Covering Kentucky
Falcon Crest Apartments residents fear for safety after 2 shootings
The organization hopes the same community-based approach will have a similar impact at Falcon Crest.
"Like if we can just show more love to some of these communities, some of these neighborhoods, maybe it'll deter some of the evil that pops up from time to time," Carama said.
The plan includes several programs aimed at supporting residents and preventing violence:
- Tuesday Teen Nights: Every Tuesday through Aug. 11, teens ages 12 to 17 who live at Falcon Crest will be taken on supervised outings to locations including Malibu Jack's and Sky Zone. ONE Lexington said the trips are intended to build relationships with young people and give them a safe space following last week's violence.
- Neighborhood Healing Wednesdays: Community partners will visit the apartment complex each Wednesday evening to offer prayer, fellowship and support. Mental health specialists, domestic violence advocates and youth mentors will also be available for residents in the aftermath of the recent shootings.
- Saturday Night Light: Members of ONE Lexington and its Crisis Response Team will walk the apartment complex during late-night hours to engage with residents, build relationships with youth and help prevent or de-escalate potential conflicts.
ONE Lexington said the increased community presence is intended to help bridge the gap until the start of the school year on Aug. 11, when officials say additional structure and support will be available for children and families.
The organization is also asking community members, families and local organizations to participate in the rapid-response effort. Parents of Falcon Crest teens interested in participating in Tuesday Teen Nights can register through ONE Lexington, while community partners interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact the organization.
"You got teachers that live there, you got people that work for the city that live there, you got single moms that live there, you got people dealing with disabilities like some of our most vulnerable people live in this complex, and so to see them have to endure stuff like this is heartbreaking," Carama said.
The Lexington Police Department is also increasing patrols in the area as part of the coordinated response, the organization added.
Molly Demrow is committed to covering the stories that matter to you. If you have an idea, please reach out to Molly at molly.demrow@wlex.tv
