With Project EVICT, neighbors can gang up to help make streets safer

Wednesday, July 19th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Muskogee-AP) -- A new Muskogee crime prevention program is involving citizens in an effort to rid their neighborhoods of criminals. The project is called EVICT, which stands for Ending Violence In Communities Today.

It's a new initiative being pushed by Muskogee prosecutors and law enforcement. Assistant U-S Attorney Dennis Fries met with community leaders Wednesday, including the Muskogee County District Attorney's office,the Muskogee schools and the chamber of commerce.

Fries says the project is proactive and is based on two committees, the citizens of the community and the law enforcement. Each EVICT committee will eventually contact repeat or suspected violent offenders in Muskogee. The committees will tell these people that Muskogee is fed up with them and want them to stop committing crimes.