For the neighborhoods that are haunted by their violent past, he was supposed to be the shining light that drove out darkness.
A former Browns player, once embraced as Cleveland's own, is now viewed as a falling star.
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"We truly wish our brother, Reggie Rucker, the best,” said Art McKoy. "We already knew the situation, we knew for several years."
McKoy works the same streets Rucker’s organization, Peacemakers Alliance was supposed to help clean up. Now, there’s concern about perception, among the people on the street he serves.
"Crime is high. The murder is up,” said McKoy. "If we're separated, how do we expect the community to come together?"
But Mckoy said his organization’s reputation—Black on Black Crime Inc.— remains strong.
"We need everybody, families, families to come together. That’s the only way we're going to stop the violence,” said Judy Martin.