CRIME MEETING'S FOCUS

MONTGOMERY - When leaders of the Montgomery City Council's Task Force on
Black on Black Crime and Youth Violence gathered for talks Tuesday, Patrick
Monfiston was one of the first people to enter the doors.

The 33-year-old businessman is the manager of Club Ballers, a Montgomery
nightclub. The club made headlines after one man was shot and killed during
an altercation outside the club on Dec. 25.

Another man, who was reportedly shot in the crossfire, later died. Another
individual on the scene was wounded.

Monfiston took part in the evening meeting to discuss ways to curb black on
black crime in Montgomery and who should take part in doing it.

"We want to see what we can do to stop all the crime and violence going
on," he said. About a dozen people met at the Montgomery Civic Center and
poured over a list of what organizers believe will be solutions.

Many included establishing crime prevention and substance abuse education
programs, more neighborhood watch groups and curfews.

Cubie Rae Gilmer, a Montgomery public relations business owner, said out of
the meeting "will come directives - exactly what we want the families and
public officials to do."

Under the category of "to dos" for the families, strategies ranged from
creating a structured home life to teaching children manners to discussing
birth control.

The group wants public officials to provide gang education and offer
harsher punishment for crimes. Parental training is also an option, Gilmer
said.

"In order to take back the community, residents must first take back their
homes," Gilmer said. "That means if your children are harboring guns or
dealing drugs, you should report it. If you aren't safe in your own home,
how can you expect to be safe outside?"

District 4 Councilman James Knuckles, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on
Black on Black Crime and Youth Violence, said he plans to create a
"Violence-Free Month" project by spring.