Indianapolis - Community leaders rallied Tuesday after a local minister who is working to fight crime became a victim himself.
Rev. Charles Harrison is pastor at the Barnes United Methodist Church and a chaplain for the Indiana State Police. He works with authorities to help make communities in Indianapolis safer. But on Sunday night at church, Rev. Harrison was robbed by three young men.
"It seemed like they wanted to hurt me," he said.
Reverend Harrison opened the church gymnasium Tuesday just as he did for three teenager robbers Sunday night. He invited them inside and asked them one question: "Why would you want to hurt me and even rob me or kill me?"
Harrison says eventually the teenagers fled with some of his personal belongings.
"My cell phone, my wallet, my state police identification," he said.
On Tuesday, local ministers and community leaders held a rally to show their support for the reverend and to ask that the men responsible for the robbery come forward.
The robbery happened as Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson shares his task force crime report. The Task force is made of educators, law enforcement officers and community leaders like Reverend Olgen Williams. He, too, offers rec time to young people at The Christamore House gymnasium.
"See the lives we can turn around because we give them an opportunity to make better choices," said Rev. Williams.
Deputy mayor Steve Campbell says the report addresses youth programs and crimes just like the one involving Harrison.
"I think it focuses the need on us to fight this battle against crime and not to ever let up," Campbell said.
Surrounded by colleagues, Harrison realizes his attackers are still out there.
"Thugs and drugs are running wild in Indianapolis while we build our hotels and stadiums," said Bishop Garrot T. Benjamin.
After getting away from his three attackers, Pastor Harris is offering help to the suspects that most victim's don't. He is offering help.
"Allow us to work with him and help them become better citizens," he said.
That help, Reverend Harrison says, could keep them from a lifetime of trouble.
The City of Peace Ministerial Coalition, Ministers on the Move, Interdenominational Ministers Alliance and Baptist Minister's Alliance Indiana all attended Tuesday's rally.
