Oct. 13, 2022 9p
(WGTD)---One of the newest “Community Connectors” to be hired by Racine Unified to help keep kids safe and improve learning environments had a brush with gun violence last summer.
54-year-old Johnny Ford was officiating at a funeral in Graceland Cemetery when the service was interrupted by gunfire.
Even as investigators were still combing the cemetery for evidence, Ford was allowed to finish the committal. Only then did he realize just how close he’d come to death or injury. "I had my book. I was getting ready to do the committal. And I put my hand on the coffin and three bullets had grazed the top," Ford said. "If I wouldn't have been down (on the ground), they would've hit me right in the stomach," he said.
Ford says the incident left him with a case of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the effects of which were mitigated by a conversation with a therapist.
The gunfire at the cemetery was the result of a gang dispute. Two suspects were eventually arrested. Two people who were shot have since recovered.
Ford is one of six Community Connectors that are employed by the school district. They—along with seven other community liaisons working under two similar programs—are trying to make inroads in groups and neighborhoods where help is needed the most.
The workers are part of Racine’s Violent Crime Reduction Initiative launched by the city, county and school district last spring.
A progress report was given to the public Wednesday night. County Executive Jonathan Delagrave said he’s confident that the new framework of programs covering prevention, enforcement and beyond will make a big difference.
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