Filming a City's Call for Hope

As a media producer, my job is to capture a story and bring it to life. Sometimes, that means being a quiet observer in a room filled with powerful emotions and urgent conversations. That was exactly my experience filming a recent 100 Families meeting in Little Rock for the "A Shot At Hope" podcast. The topic was the rising number of homicides in Pulaski County, a subject that has left many in the community feeling a sense of unease and a lack of security.

My gear was set up, the cameras were rolling, and the microphones were ready. My focus was on making sure every word, every emotion, and every detail was captured with clarity. As I worked, I was also listening, absorbing the weight of the conversation. The room was filled with a mix of concern and a desperate need for answers, a sentiment perfectly captured by Little Rock resident Stacy Hurst, who told me, "I hate hearing about it. I hate hearing about the violence and learning about the murders and the numbers."

The meeting was a chance for the community to hear directly from officials, including Little Rock's Police Chief Heath Helton and the county attorney. The police chief spoke about his department’s focus on bringing justice to the victims and their families. He introduced a new strategy called the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) program, a method he believes can help prevent crime before it happens. This program, which has shown promise in nearby Pine Bluff, gives law enforcement a new sense of hope. "Really we all should come together and once we do that, we’ll be able to move mountains as far as addressing crime," Chief Helton said, a message that spoke directly to the heart of the community's worries.

For me, being there wasn't just about recording an event; it was about preserving a crucial conversation. As a podcast producer, the goal is to make sure that the raw, solution-driven discussions that happen in these rooms are shared with a wider audience. It was clear that the meeting worked, leaving people like Stacy Hurst with a little more peace of mind.

"Hearing the things that they are doing really gave me hope for improvement," she shared.

This was only the first of a series of meetings, a testament to a community refusing to give up on hope. The next one is scheduled for August 27th at 9 a.m. at Arkansas Baptist College, and I’ll be there, ready to capture the next chapter of this vital conversation. Through the "A Shot at Hope" podcast, we aim to ensure that these important dialogues aren't just heard by those in the room, but by everyone who needs to hear them.