WEST ADAMS : Arsenio Hall Offers Weapon Turn-In Day

It is a small step, says Arsenio Hall, but a crucial one in turning the tide against violence in the inner city.

The comedian and former talk-show host is sponsoring a “gun drive,” a day in which he is calling upon anyone who has illegal firearms to turn in their weapons.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Hall and police officials will be at First AME Church at 2270 S. Harvard Blvd. to collect guns and steer people to the church’s employment training and other programs.

Hall said police have agreed to ask no questions and request no paperwork from those who show up.

“This is just one element in a campaign to pay attention to young people all the time, to give them positive alternatives,” said Hall, who joined First AME 10 years ago and has long been involved in its community programs, most recently a joint effort with several computer companies to donate computers and computer programs to South-Central area schools.

“I want to act as a catalyst for involvement,” he said. “If I can use my name to get the job done, spur other Hollywood or corporate people to create something, I’m happy.”

Hall is relying on local press, radio and television to get the word out about his effort. He has done numerous spots on KKBT-FM (92.3) and KJLH-FM (102.3) radio stations, as well as locally aired ads for the cable channel Black Entertainment Television.

Romie Lilly, executive director of the Southern Area Clergy Council, lauded Hall’s effort but said that what is needed is improved communication among all grass-roots organizations working toward the same goal of nonviolence.

The council, which represents 75 Los Angeles-area churches, launched a media campaign last month called “Stop the Violence: Keep It Good in the Hood.”

“We all see violence as the problem,” Lilly said. “To maximize our effectiveness, to change people’s behavior, we need to join forces and send a strong, unified message.”

Chilton Alphonse, director of the Community Youth Sports and Arts Foundation in the Crenshaw district, was more critical of what he called a noble but largely symbolic gesture.

“Anything people can do to stop the violence is good, but why should people want to turn in guns? Not just because it’s Arsenio,” said Alphonse, who is meeting with gang members each week to help them form a nonprofit employment organization.

“This needs to be more thought out,” Alphonse said. “If he was offering people a job in exchange for a gun, he might be successful with this. To effect real change, you have to go deeper.”

Hall said that though the one-day drive alone will do little to stop violence, it will at least serve to keep the message of peace alive in South-Central.

“If there’s a way I can keep one kid from ending up dead, I’ll do it.”