Dozens of people gathered in East Westwood Thursday evening to discuss gun violence in the neighborhood and solutions.The East Westwood Community Council's monthly meeting at Third Presbyterian Church had ten times the number of attendees it typically does."For the youth, it seems like, I think a lot of them feel hopeless," said Gwendolyn Hampton who grew up in the area and still has family who live in Westwood.The meeting comes on the heels of a quadruple shooting not far from the church. A 6-year-old and 8-year-old boy were shot. The 8-year-old's mother spoke at the meeting."I have good kids. They're not out hanging doing anything wrong," Marcella Thompson said. "I feel like the community should come together and just do better for our youth because my child was an innocent child."He is still fighting for his life in the intensive care unit."He was just walking to the store," she said. "And he never came back home."East Westwood Community Council President Rodney Christian gave a passionate speech to the audience, advocating that every community steps up in some way, coaches, business owners and homeowners alike."If things like this don't wake us up, what will?" he asked. "Something has to change. We're in the red. Your children's children are going to be living in hell if we sit here and ignore it today."Some Cincinnati police officers were also in attendance, answering questions and addressing concerns."Cannot do it without them. 100% cannot do it without them," said Sgt. Jacob Hicks, the neighborhood liaison for district three. "It makes it easier for us to do our job, because now, I can communicate messages from the police department, what we're seeing, and take it to the community, and the community now they have a better voice."The East Westwood Community Council is holding a 'Stop the Violence' festival Saturday, July 31 from 3-7 p.m. It will be held at Third Presbyterian Church with raffles, games, 3-on-3 tournaments and more.
Dozens of people gathered in East Westwood Thursday evening to discuss gun violence in the neighborhood and solutions.
The East Westwood Community Council's monthly meeting at Third Presbyterian Church had ten times the number of attendees it typically does.
"For the youth, it seems like, I think a lot of them feel hopeless," said Gwendolyn Hampton who grew up in the area and still has family who live in Westwood.
The meeting comes on the heels of a quadruple shooting not far from the church. A 6-year-old and 8-year-old boy were shot.
The 8-year-old's mother spoke at the meeting.
"I have good kids. They're not out hanging doing anything wrong," Marcella Thompson said. "I feel like the community should come together and just do better for our youth because my child was an innocent child."
He is still fighting for his life in the intensive care unit.
"He was just walking to the store," she said. "And he never came back home."
East Westwood Community Council President Rodney Christian gave a passionate speech to the audience, advocating that every community steps up in some way, coaches, business owners and homeowners alike.
"If things like this don't wake us up, what will?" he asked. "Something has to change. We're in the red. Your children's children are going to be living in hell if we sit here and ignore it today."
Some Cincinnati police officers were also in attendance, answering questions and addressing concerns.
"Cannot do it without them. 100% cannot do it without them," said Sgt. Jacob Hicks, the neighborhood liaison for district three. "It makes it easier for us to do our job, because now, I can communicate messages from the police department, what we're seeing, and take it to the community, and the community now they have a better voice."
The East Westwood Community Council is holding a 'Stop the Violence' festival Saturday, July 31 from 3-7 p.m. It will be held at Third Presbyterian Church with raffles, games, 3-on-3 tournaments and more.
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