Town hall aims to find solutions to gun violence in Cincinnati

Community trying to find solutions to gun violence in Price Hill

Community trying to find solutions to gun violence in Price Hill

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Community trying to find solutions to gun violence in Price Hill

It's been a busy week of violence across the city of Cincinnati. The youngest victim, a 7-year-old, was caught in the crossfire in Avondale. Community leaders are coming together to come up with solutions.

CPD did not allow WLWT to record a public meeting inside District 3. We did speak with people who attended the Price Hill Safety Community Action Team meeting who are concerned with the rising gun violence.

"Our hearts are breaking. We feel, you know everybody is like, we don't know what to do," said Sue Bilz with the Price Hill Safety Community Action Team. "We discuss how to be proactive. We don't always want to be reactive."

Bilz said the kids need a seat at the table in the discussion.

"You have to bring the kids together with the leaders of our communities, whether it be police, teachers, coaches, families, everybody who's interested," Bilz said.

Last week, police say a 15-year-old was shot and killed on Enright Avenue in East Price Hill and it motivated neighbors to take action.

Earl Hickson has lived in East Price Hill for more than 30 years and said he wants to see more officers on the streets.

"More walking beat officers. If you've got them walking the neighborhood, people are going to look around and say, 'I'll behave for a while,'" Hickson said.

It's going to take time, which the community action team knows. With these meetings and solutions, Bilz is determined it can be done.

"We as a community have to come together as a city and as a county. That's what we have to do. With the kids involved," Bilz said.