Push to help former Chattanooga gang members start a new life

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) — Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher wants city leaders to consider a partnership with an organization called Father to the Fatherless.

The purpose of the proposed partnership would be to help former gang members start new lives, but that partnership won’t come cheap.

Chattanooga police officials have always publicly made it known to gang members that police will come down hard on them every time there’s a gang related shooting.

“But there also able to say we have a procedure in place to offer you help,” said Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher as he addressed the city council.

The help Fletcher was referring to would come from support services for gang members who are looking to get out of the gangs, but it would take much more than just convincing gang members to just quit. That’s why Chief Fletcher is asking city leaders to allow him authorization to enter a $229,000 contract with Father to the Fatherless, an organization that can help gang members start a new life.

“It’s not going to be overnight. It’s going to take some time. It’s going to take programs that we talk about like GED, jobs, life skill; all of that is a part of it and we believe that organization is the one to do it,” said City Councilman Yusuf Hakeem.

“It’s hard for them to break away from gangs, so this helps them. A lot of them want to start a fresh new life,” said City Councilman Moses Freeman.

The city council will vote on the proposal next week.