Hundreds walk for peace, unity on MLK Day in Desert Hot Springs
Laura Yanez, CBS Local 2 Anchor & Reporter, Laura.Yanez@cbslocal2.com
POSTED: 05:40 PM PST Jan 17, 2016 UPDATED: 05:56 PM PST Jan 18, 2016
DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. -
City leaders and the Martin Luther King Commemorative Committee of Desert Hot Springs hosted its 2nd annual Peace and Unity Walk on Monday. Hundreds of people of all ages linked arms and began the walk at Desert Hot Springs City Hall to Desert Hot Springs High School.
In remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, the walk aimed to improve relations between people of different races and backgrounds, along with governmental agencies such as police and schools.
"I think it's good because it shows respect," said 10-year-old Mia Gonzalez.
The walk symbolized the march that Martin Luther King Jr. led across the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama in 1965.
"In times like this it's important to remind the children it's not always about color. It's not always about where you come from, it's the opportunities ahead of you," said Dominique Thornhill of Desert Hot Springs.
Video link for walk – http://www.kesq.com/news/desert-hot-springs-to-host-mlk-day-peace-and-unity-walk/37488204
DHS FACTS – CRIME STATS
Exerts From 12-10-13 Article in Desert Sun
Titled: DHS Schedules Closed-Door Labor Negotiations
According to city documents, Desert Hot Springs is on course to collect revenues of $13.9 million this fiscal year, and spend $18 million — more than $9 million on police and code enforcement services.
The study, which Desert Hot Springs police Chief Kate Singer gave to Adams, found that the city’s violent crime index was 266.09 percent higher than the national average and the property crime index “exceeded the national average by 85.35 percent.”
Desert Hot Springs also “surpassed the state crime index by 235.41 percent in terms of violent crime and 106.87 percent for property crimes.”
Looking at annual crime data from 2007 to 2012, the study found that violent crime has been trending upward, while property crime is trending down.