Contact Information
Daylan Burgess, PR Specialist
Phone: (703) 555-1212
Email: burgesdl@dukes.jmu.edu
Honolulu, Hi- The Honolulu Hammerheads have kicked off a community campaign called #HammerOutCrime to decrease crime in Honolulu by September, 2019.
“Fans and high school students/graduates in Honolulu don’t have adequate outlets for their pent up energy so they turn to a life of petty crime”, says general manager, Georgie Hanigan.
The #HammerOutCrime campaign is partnering with the Lionheart Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing social emotional learning programs (SEL) to incarcerated adults, youth at risk and teen parents in order to significantly alter their life course. In addition to the Hammerheads partnership with Lionheart, they will visit high schools around Honolulu with quarterback Jared Goff and tight end Travis Kelce to get kids to sign up for the program.
According to Hanigan, the Hammerheads created the #HammerOutCrime campaign to “improve communication with the community about the team’s efforts to raise awareness about violent crime and strengthen the relationship between the local schools and the team.”
Violent crimes in Honolulu has developed over the Hawaii average in recent years. The city of Honolulu shows a crime rate that is 8% higher than the Hawaii average (FBI Statistics). In addition to lowering crime rates in Honolulu, the Hammerheads will work with local groups in order to get fans to enroll in programs meant to decrease violent crime.
“We would like to help Honolulu flourish as a community and make Honolulu less dangerous for all citizens”, says Chris Gilmore, owner of the Honolulu Hammerheads.
Even though gun violence is low in Honolulu, property crimes is a major concern as this issue has become prominent in recent years. According to FBI Statistics, the overall crime rate in Honolulu is 20% higher than the national average.
“I am excited to be a part of the #HammerOutCrime campaign because this is a serious topic and I want to use my voice to create change”, Travis Kelce says. “This is an opportunity for our team to lead by example.”
When asked about his thoughts regarding the campaign, Goff echoed similar remarks.
“Once I heard we [Honolulu Hammerheads] were rolling out the #HammerOutCrime campaign, I said count me in.” I want to be a leader on and off the field and give hope to our fans that they can achieve greatness.”