TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A string of recent shootings in Tallahassee is pushing city and religious leaders to say enough is enough. That's why they're hosting events all week to collaborate with the community on how to reverse this trend.
"You're not just seeing strangers pass away. You're seeing people that you love, people you call family, die with tragic deaths because of senseless acts of hate," said Quincy Griffin.
Senseless crime leaving many unanswered questions. its why Quincy, his neighbors, and city leaders are pulling together hoping to make change.
"It is time in our neighborhoods that we literally go lot by lot, block by block. But it takes everyone. Helping us, the city, identify and the city taking action. We need to invest in our community and we need to invest in our houses," said Mayor John Dailey.
Mayor Dailey says abandoned homes being used for illegal activity need to be reported and shut down immediately. He says we need to get neighborhood leaders, like pastor Rudolph Ferguson involved helping curb crime where they live.
"People have been waiting for an action for many years. We've talked enough so we're going to come up with some ideas, concepts that we know will save our young people. And convince those who would choose the wait and the weight of the gun to say 'there's a better way," said Pastor Rudolph Ferguson.
Tallahassee Police responded to more than a dozen shootings in the first four months of 2019.
This comes as Leon county has been working to lower the overall crime rate after leading the state four years in a row and neighbors are saying its time to take action.
"Initiatives like this, people who have the right type of heart, that bring programs together that help people on this street, is everything to the community," said Griffin.
Mayor Dailey says starting a 'violent crimes task force' is in the works.
He wants to get schools involved making sure children steer clear of a life a crime.
He also wants people to speak up when something isn't right in their neighborhood and help leaders stop violence before it happens.
