Monthly “Peace Rides” Drop Crime in South Central Los Angeles with The Way to Happiness
Dozens of motorcycles, Corvettes and lowriders rolled into Watts, California, on Sunday, August 28th for the monthly “Peace Ride” tradition, now legend in Southern California.
Four years ago, The United in Peace Foundation was formed to bring a simple, unifying message of peace to troubled communities in South Central Los Angeles. Co-founded by Minister Tony Muhammad from the Nation of Islam, Big Boy of LA Radio fame, Pastor Powe and Reverend Alfreddie Johnson, the Foundation united bikers, artists, community, government and law enforcement of every walk of life under a banner of “Peace,” riding in solidarity through areas of high crime.
Participating biker clubs span the gamut: everything from “Street Heat” to the “Hoodlums” and “E-Legal Riders. ”At each neighborhood stop, they park, walk the streets, interact with the community, and, most importantly, distribute their “peace materials,” A. K. A. The Way to Happiness.
After August’s Peace Rides in Watts, as is common in areas reached by The Way to Happiness, the crime rate took a hit. But the numbers themselves were staggering: a 51 percent drop in crime over three consecutive weeks immediately following the rides.
So the team came back for another round of peacekeeping.
After August’s Peace Rides in Watts the crime rate took a hit. But the numbers themselves were staggering: a 51 percent drop in crime over three consecutive weeks immediately following the rides.
In advance of that August ride, more than 10,000 copies of The Way to Happiness were mailed to households in Watts along with a letter and flier announcing “The Peace Rides are coming to your neighborhood.” To launch the rides on the day of, Way to Happiness Ambassador and celebrity Nancy Cartwright spoke about her work and success spreading the Way to Happiness over the years.
Captain Lee Sands, Commanding Officer of the South Traffic Division, also participated, joining hands with Peace Riders to say a prayer.
Riders distributed United in Peace backpacks for children with notebooks and pencils, along with some 1,400 copies of The Way to Happiness. “The rides are going to get bigger and bigger,” said Captain Sands.
FACTS
CRIME STATISTICS
The general low level of morality in today’s societies is manifest in these numbers.
$3.7
TRILLION
lost each year due to corporate fraud internationally.
EVERY 13
SECONDS
a home is broken into in North America.
2.5 MILLION
CARS ARE STOLEN
annually around the world.
32%
OF BUSINESSES
experience cybercrime and the majority have no means to address it.
2.2
MILLION PEOPLE
are incarcerated in US prisons and jails—a 500% increase over the last 40 years.
RESTORING TRUST
The Way to Happiness Foundation International works to reverse the moral decay of society by restoring trust and honesty through widespread distribution of the 21 precepts. Donations support production and distribution of The Way to Happiness booklet and curriculum material.
