Local

Concerned citizens speak out against rising crime

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Concerned citizens and Charlotte city leaders came together Saturday to call for a stop to rising crime.

A Stop the Violence rally, sponsored by the Ketchmore Kids Foundation, was held in the Greenville Neighborhood of north Charlotte.  The area is served by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Metro Division.  Statistics show overall crime is up this year by about 9 percent in that division.

Participants in the rally encouraged the community to speak up about violent crimes that could help lower those numbers.

"Don't let people scare you into silence," said Judy Williams, co-founder of Mothers of Murdered Offspring.

For more than a decade, Williams has been speaking out against violent crime.

"In 1993, my goddaughter was murdered by a serial killer, and from that point on it made me want to get involved,” she said.

Eyewitness News looked through its news archives and found a total of 42 homicides this year and 15 had no suspects.

At Saturday's event, organizers talked to the community about the importance of standing up against violent criminals and tipping off police about unsolved crimes.

"When you see something happen, you are an eyewitness and you have a responsibility to tell what you see. If you don't, you have been a part of that crime," said Williams.

City Council woman Lawana Mayfield was also at Saturday's rally.

She announced a proclamation by Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx declaring Oct. 27 Stop The Violence Day in Charlotte.