Seymour Soc. Gathers Petitions To Halt Drug Sales and Crime

Members of the William J. Seymour Society, an undergraduate Black Christian organisation have joined 150 Boston-area residents in a petition drive to stop drug traffic on a street in Roxbury.

The position drive is a follow-up to the December 3 demonstration against drug trafficking and crime on Sonoma street, which is notorious as a crossroad for drug dealers. The First Church of God in Boston is organizing the petition campaign.

Governor Michael S. Dukakis, Mayor Kevin H. White and Police Commissioner Jordan, will receive copies of the petition which calls upon them "to respond in a more effective and responsible manner to the severe drug problem that has endangered the safety and well-being of the residents of Sonoma St. in Roxbury."

The group hopes to collect 50,000 signatures, Rev. Cheryl Sanders, organizer of the, they have only collected 40,000 so far.

Ten Seymour Society members are collecting signatures throughout Boston for the petition drive. The society, which emphasizes community activism, also helped organize the December demonstration.

Cynthia M. Silva'84 president of the Seymour Society described Sonoma St. as a neighborhood "under singe," adding that her organization considers working in the community "part of the Christian responsibility."

Eugene F. Rivers '84, a member of the Seymour Society, said that the society alone has gathered approximately 1000 signatures.

The petition drive is scheduled to end by March 20. At that time Sanders plans to hold a press conference and present the petitions to White.