Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday morning launched a new anti-violence initiative in partnership with urban radio stations throughout the city.
The announcement of the program -- called "Put the Guns Down" -- comes after a 12-hour period that saw at least 15 people wounded by gunfire.
"We do policing. We do prevention. We do penalties. We also need parenting. We're going to add a fifth "P" today -- pop culture," Emanuel said at the Kleo Center Community Life Center, at 119 East Garfield Blvd.
The broadcast members of the initiative have agreed to air public service announcements that feature radio personalities and celebrities which encourage listeners to stop shooting, host a monthly simulcast to "discuss the importance of community responsibility and accountability,' open and close each radio program with a reminder to listeners to "put the guns down," and host weekly community affairs segments that highlight community organizations which offer violence prevention programs.
Participating stations include Clear Channel's 107.5 WGCI-FM, V103, Inspiration 1390, 103.5 KISS-FM, 93.9 MY FM, 95.5 El Patrón and 97.5 ESPN Deportes, Crawford Broadcasting's Power 92.3, Midway Broadcasting's WVON and four stations from the Univision Radio group: 101.5 WOJO-FM, 106.7 WPPN-FM, 93.5/103.1 WVIV-FM and 1200 WRTO-AM.
