Leaders in Gaston County build coalition to curb crime in community

Gaston County leaders began building a coalition Tuesday to combat the recent violence in the community.

Friendship Christian Church will host a collective memorial service next month for everyone killed in Gaston County this year.

“Guys, we have to do something,” said Councilman Charles Odom.

Tuesday’s meeting was supposed to be a meeting of the Gaston County Progressive Coalition, but it became much bigger.

A local fraternity attended, saying they were concerned about young people getting involved with violence.

“They are crying for help too, and that’s their way for crying out,” said Kip Boyce, of Omega Psi Phi.

Leaders of a local rec center addressed street violence.

“We know all of them,” said Finland Fair, with the Erwin Center. “The ones that done the shootings. The ones that have been killed.”

The NAACP, local advocates and other ministers came to Tuesday’s planning meeting.

In the video at the top of this webpage, reporter Ken Lemon speaks with those at the meeting about proactive measures to try to keep their community safer.

(Watch the video below: Police investigate fourth murder in Gastonia community since May)

Police investigate fourth murder in Gastonia community since May

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