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| (L-R) Mayor Chuck Scheper, Bennie Doggett, Chief Lee Russo, Tom Wherry |
Even in a steady mist of cold rain, nearly one hundred people showed up to march against violence in Covington. From The Carnegie, around 10th Street and Scott Boulevard to Pleasant and Wheeler and Garrard and Greenup, the city's streets most affected by a recent spike in criminal activity were trampled by the feet of an engaged citizenry. Shouts of "Stand up Covington! Stop the violence!" and "Guns and violence have got to go!" echoed throughout the neighborhoods of Eastside, Austinburg and Helentown. It was a visible sign of strength within Covington's neighborhoods and a demonstration of their ability to organize.
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"This is not just tonight," said Helentown's Tom Wherry, a principal organizer of the march. "I think Covington is the best kept secret in the Tri-State but we're not controlling the message to tell people that. I think tonight changes that."
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The entire Covington City Commission, the City Manager, the Police Chief, the State Representative and the Superintendent of Covington schools were all in attendance. Mayor Chuck Scheper declared today "Satnd Up Covington Day" and presented the proclamation to the Eastside's Bennie Doggett, another principal organizer of the march.
The entire Covington City Commission, the City Manager, the Police Chief, the State Representative and the Superintendent of Covington schools were all in attendance. Mayor Chuck Scheper declared today "Satnd Up Covington Day" and presented the proclamation to the Eastside's Bennie Doggett, another principal organizer of the march.
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| The march passes The Carnegie |
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"Violence affects all of us," Scheper said. "It's important for all of us to stand up whether it happens in our own neighborhoods or miles away and I think it's important that (the City Commission) stand with you."
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Police Chief Lee Russo said the department prepared for the march over the last six weeks and that the turnout demonstrated the quality of people that call Covington home. "It's not just a community problem, it's a city problem," Russo said. "We've had violent crime in our city and we're coming together to say, 'not tonight, not now, not ever!' We will make our city a better place where people say, 'Hey, I want to live here.'"
Police Chief Lee Russo said the department prepared for the march over the last six weeks and that the turnout demonstrated the quality of people that call Covington home. "It's not just a community problem, it's a city problem," Russo said. "We've had violent crime in our city and we're coming together to say, 'not tonight, not now, not ever!' We will make our city a better place where people say, 'Hey, I want to live here.'"
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Plans for the rally were made public following Russo's monthly community meeting in which a spike in crime, including murder, was discussed. Six people have been victims of homicide in the city this year, twice the number from last year and only two fewer than the previous four years combined. The chief also acknowledged during that meeting an increase in assaults and burglaries.
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| Superintendent Lynda Jackson speaks with Bennie Doggett to the left and Tom Wherry at right |
"Stop the bullies!" was also a rallying cry during tonight's march, highlighting the growing concern over violence inside schools and the effect it may have outside or in the home. "In order for this community to change we must change the goals and vision of our youth," said Covington schools Superintendent Lynda Jackson. "We can no longer turn our backs on what's happening in our community."
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