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Community members aim to stop violence in neighborhood

Chaplain: "People are hurting, people are afraid."
Posted at 7:48 AM, Jul 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-06 08:52:08-04
MILWAUKEE -- Nearly a week after a three-year-old was grazed girl by a bullet in shooting crossfire, Milwaukee police and community organizations are taking to the streets to talk to the people who live there.
 
"People are hurting, people are afraid," said Lynne Hines-Levy, the head chaplain at Milwaukee police District 7.
 
It was quite clear just how afraid people on Fairmount Avenue were. They did not want to be on camera talking to police or even to TMJ4, worried about repercussions. They said a big problem was fewer long-term residents.
 
"There is concern about mobile drug dealing," said Scott Labott, a coordinator at Safe and Sound.
 
Some people even asked, "Why call the police?" 
 
"There is no cops around here. And then when they are called it takes them forever to come," said one woman in the neighborhood who did not want to be identified.
 
"There's not much you can do. I would love to see this neighborhood back to where it was," said another long-time resident who does not want to be identified.
 
But community groups like Safe and Sound say it's a process. They come out with Milwaukee police officers and start a conversation about how they can change their neighborhood and it starts with people willing to just talk to each other.
 
"We talk to people about getting involved in their communities, about starting block watches, mostly to be involved," said Jesse McSwain, Jr., a Decon at Progressive Baptist Church.
 
Safe and Sound and the Chaplain will have a neighborhood meeting for the community at 6 p.m. Monday, July 18 at Covenant Lutheran Church.