Baltimore activist's idea to bring down murder rate, pay killers not to kill

BALTIMORE (WBFF) - Tyree Moorehead has spent years in Baltimore’s streets.

If you don’t know his name, drive through the city and you’ll see his mark.

No shoot zones, the sidewalk, streetside sacred space where, after murder, there should be no more killing there.

He recognizes even that hasn’t slowed Baltimore's bloodshed and now he eyes what he believes is a breakthrough.

"I can relate to the shooters, guess what they want? They want money.

His idea, pay killers to stop killing, his background he says is part of the currency.

Moorehead spent 18 years in prison for second-degree murder at 15, he believes he's the person who can deliver that change so many organizations doing good work in Baltimore haven't been able to do.

"I've talked to these people, I've seen the shooters, it’s a small city, I know who the hustlers are.

"It speaks to the desperation that we all have," said former Baltimore Police spokesman T.J. Smith.

RELATED | Family of slain violence interrupter speaks out, as police search for killer

Smith agrees we have to think creatively to stop relentless violence but doesn’t believe that paying criminals is the answer.

Savings in lives is limited he says when guns are still so accessible

"It could make it easier for people to get their hands on guns because they now have an influx of a different level of cash.

But it’s been tried before, in Richmond, California, the city tracked who they identified as the most likely to shoot or be shot and gave them cash. The city saw its lowest murder rate in over 30 years.

Moorehead says it's time to try something different.

ALSO READ | Mosby travel decision expected on Thursday

"I can’t stop the shootings, no one in this world has proven to stop the shootings not even the church but what we can do is put them in compliance," he said.