Clergy, Police Vow Cooperation after Spelman Murder

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Metro Atlanta police chiefs and clergy today responded to the murder of a Spelman College student by vowing to work together. They held the first of what they say will be several meetings to discuss how to increase community involvement in fighting crime.

WABE's Odette Yousef reports.

Atlanta activist and one-time congressional candidate Reverend Markel Hutchins called the meeting. It included chiefs of police from the city of Atlanta, Fulton County, DeKalb County, and representatives from Cobb and Clayton counties. They said church leaders reach communities that they can't.

Pastor Raphael Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church called the approach "One Church, One Precinct":

WARNOCK: Many of us will stand up on Sunday morning, and we will urge our members to take a more active role in participating in solving crime. If you see something, then you ought to report it.

19-year old Jasmine Lynn was killed Thursday by a stray bullet while walking near Clark Atlanta University's campus. It's the latest high-profile crime in a string that includes the shooting of a boxing pro, the carjacking of a City Councilman, and the murder of an 80-year old grandmother.

Lynn's shooter still is not known.

Odette Yousef, WABE News.