Cities clamor for cleansing

Monday, Nov. 25, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Supporters claim such efforts did reduce crime and, in Moreno Valley, aided the passage of two tax measures.

A nude club in Victorville closed earlier this year after the preacher held prayer meetings there, said City Councilman Jim Busby.

"One of the things we prayed for was, the club would leave the city, and they did," Busby said.

Hundreds of residents, including city and school officials, prayed together for three days last month to cast out demons from Moreno Valley in Riverside County.

"We're still having a devil of a time here, but I'm sure these things take a long time to work," said Gene Rogers, Moreno Valley's interim city manager.

In nearby Perris, residents circled the city seven times, imitating Joshua's attack on Jericho.

Perris City Councilwoman Virginia Wyatt Denney said the Moreno Valley effort inspired her "Operation Jericho."

"When negative spirits leave, there could be clarity of thought and there could be people thinking in a positive vein," she said.

The Moreno Valley prayer gathering was led by Tom Bowers, leader of the Walnut-based Prayer Partners International.

Bowers said God gave him a list of cities in Southern California and Arizona that are plagued by demons. Moreno Valley was on the list, so there he went.

Bowers also has been to Phoenix, Colton, Pomona, Fontana, San Bernardino, Rialto, Victorville, Palm Springs and Banning. Long Beach and Compton are on the list. Then it's on to Northern California.

Indio plans to hold its own prayer gathering in January.

"We've got a $1.4 million deficit," said City Councilman Chris Silva. "If he (Bowers) comes and prays and washes that away, hey, I'll kiss his hand."

Banning is also on Bowers' list. Mayor Don Smith said he does not believe "evil lives in specific cities" but keeps an open mind about prayer.

"All cities have their problems. Prayer, I'm sure, helps," he said.

The impact of the Moreno Valley prayer session is less certain. Believers say it helped reduce crime. But the Sheriff's Department said reports of serious crimes in the city between Oct. 19 -- the first day of the prayer gathering -- and mid-November were up 16 percent over the same period last year.

Supporters point to the passage of utility and business-license taxes in the recent elections. The expected $7.5 million raised will fund police and fire services and save 137 city jobs.