He lost his daughter, Amaia, in an accidental shooting and six years later, John Edmond doesn't think the violence will ever end in Lansing.
"You never know what's on in somebody's mind, what they've been through and in whatever situation people end up using those guns to solve problems," Edmond said. And, that's what we got to get to the root cause of, try to figure out what going through this person's head."
Edmond told us engaging and educating the community is his answer to helping change their actions. So, he shares his story.
"They might pass it along and somebody else might hear it," he said. "And, you know, that might change somebody's mind, mindset and how they handle themselves and conduct themselves in society."
In its crime prevention efforts, the Lansing Police Department is also focused on education. Throughout the year, eight officers bring the Gang Resistance Education and Training or G.R.E.A.T. Program to 3rd through 6th graders in Lansing schools.
"It's important to get at kids as early as possible to help reinforce the importance of positive life skills and kind of deter them from any negative decisions that would get them off track as far as a healthy, successful life," explained Sgt. Rodney Anderson.
He told us they hold events like basketball tournaments or after-school programs outside the classroom too. All of the program events are centered around a specific curriculum.
"Life skills lessons that deal with anger management, conflict resolution, communication, decision making, goal setting, all of those skills that are essential," he said.
Steering their lives away from criminal activity now, so they won't get involved in the future.
The G.R.E.A.T. program is also hosting a Police and Fire Youth Leadership Academy in June. It's the first of it's kind in the area.
Sgt. Anderson tells News Ten it's aimed at 13 to 16-year-olds to teach them about careers in police and fire and to help develop their leadership skills.
