TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - After the string of shootings Tallahassee leaders and citizens are trying to find a solution to violent crime
Questions and concerns abound after the recent uptick in crime in the Capital City.
One man is behind bars after a Friday shooting, but police continue to search for those behind two other Saturday shootings that put one man in the hospital and left another dead.
Officers' efforts to find these shooters didn't go unnoticed at Tuesday night's meeting.
Since the beginning of the summer, there have been nearly a dozen shootings.
About 100 city leaders and community members gathered at City Hall to discuss curbing crime after a string of weekend shootings.
The main focus is finding a long-term solution and getting everyone in the community involved.
Questions and concerns are still top of the mind after a recent uptick in crime in Tallahassee.
One man is behind bars after a Friday shooting, but police continue to search for those behind two other Saturday shootings that put one man in the hospital and left another dead.
Officers' efforts to find these shooters didn't go unnoticed at Tuesday night's meeting.
Ashley Bridge said tha "the message echoed throughout this meeting; it's not just about catching criminals. It's about preventing poverty and drug use, creating jobs and finding a solution that's tailored to the issues in Tallahassee."
City Commissioner Nancy Miller: "We talk about community policing. The police get there after the fact. We're there all the time. When you see something, say something."
Mayor Andrew Gillum: "The police department can't raise your kids. The mayor, the city commission can't raise your kids. Their values, the difference between right and wrong, those are the elements that are really critically important and it requires the involvement of our parents."
Despite the recent rash of crime, Tallahassee's police chief offers assurance that it's not all bad news.
"This year so far violent crime is up about 7 percent in the city," he said, "but the overall crime rate in the City of Tallahassee is down 10.5 percent over last year; positive signs that we're working toward progress together."
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