King City Chief of Police Nick Baldiviez (left) and Edgar Mohorko, shake hands before a meeting of the Clergy Council on Monday. Mohorko held a training this past Saturday for new members of the Peacemakers, a continuation of his efforts to get the community working toward peace and an end to violence in King City. Photo by Sean Roney.

This past Saturday marked a new effort to turn around the pattern of violence in King City, as the first training meeting of the Peacemakers was held.

"For being the first one it sure is a good turnout," said organizer and Clergy Council Founder Pastor Edgar Mohorko. He said 25 people showed up to the training, including King City Mayor Jeff Periera and some of the police senior command.

"Everybody's tired of the violence," said Mohorko. "It's a common sentiment. I have a list of people who want to help." He added the Peacemakers program is a was to get people ready and mobilize them. "It's time to do some healing."

After the Saturday morning meeting, the newly-trained Peacemakers split into three teams and went to pass out fliers and engage people they encountered, in the areas of Collins St., Beech St. and the downtown Broadway area.

"They're promoting peace when they're engaging people," said Mohorko of the action plan the teams use when out in public. "They're told to talk to every single person. Then, they go door-to-door. We're empowering the people to take ownership by constantly engaging them and encouraging them, that they can stop the violence."

The Peacemakers are taught to respond to violence by simply going out into the community and making contact with people. They operate at three levels. The entry is anyone who wishes to help, and these members are responsible for passing out fliers and engaging fellow community members.



For the complete article see the 02-24-2010 issue.

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