by Herb Gunn and Helen Santiz

[Detroit, Mich: July 11, 2008] Church of the Messiah launched a new civic organization called Citizens United for Safety in response to the "stolen Jesus" five weeks ago. When thieves lifted their statue of Jesus from an exterior wall, the outpouring of concern paved the way for concerned citizens to begin to find ways to address the problem of theft in the city.

In what organizers promise will be the first of several town hall meetings, Church of the Messiah, Detroit, hosted a gathering of about 100 people on Friday evening, July 11. The meeting was organized by Pastor Barry Randolph and Brian Gregg of Messiah. The two announced the formation of Citizens United For Safety (CUFS), a group that will expand to confront the epidemic of urban theft.

"The ‘green Jesus' was on the side of the church for 70 to 80 years until it was stolen by ‘the scrap metal Taliban,'" said Randolph. "Enough is enough."

Messiah members were joined by parishioners from Christ Church, Grosse Pointe, and St. Matthew and St. Joseph's, Detroit. Detroit City Council President Ken Crockrel also addressed the group, encouraging those present to take back their streets.

Future meetings are planned at Messiah on Saturday, July 19, at 1 p.m. followed by a town hall meeting at St. Matthew and St. Joseph's on July 24 at 6 p.m. and again at Messiah on September 11 at 6 p.m.