CHARLOTTE, N.C. — After a violent start to the year in Charlotte, the local group Dream Team for Peace reached out to the Sugar Creek neighborhood in north Charlotte to stop the violence.
Music, food and fellowship was had at the neighborhood event, but peace was the theme.
“It's all about peace for the city of Charlotte,” said Shelton Morris, of Dream Team for Peace.
Morris helped organize the "Stop the Violence Block Party” as a way for "Dream Team for Peace" to get out into local neighborhoods.
Morris said the motive is directly related to the rising rate of homicides.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have investigated 29 homicides in 2017, nearly double the number at this time last year.
”There's a lot of violence going on in the area and community,” said Spanky, owner of Classic Kutz.
Two weeks ago, city leaders discussed giving the Police Department more than $6 millions to hire 62 more police officers.
CMPD Chief Kerr Putney has continuously stressed the need for more officers on the streets.
Local groups like the Dream Team for Peace hope neighborhood events will inspire neighbors not to lose hope and stand up for peace.
“If we stand together, we can make a difference,” Morris said.
Cox Media Group
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