PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An interfaith organization in North Philadelphia is demanding a call to action to stop the escalating gun violence in the city.
"We cannot overlook what’s happening. It's too much going on, too much crime, too much violence," said Rev. Jorge Batiste of Strong Mountain Church.
Batiste and other community members chose to gather in front of the Dunkin' Donuts at Fairhill and Lehigh, because it is where store manager Christine Lugo was killed on June 5 by an armed robber. Days later, police arrested 39-year-old Keith Gibson, whom they believe to be behind the homicide, as well as a number of other shootings.
"It is indicative of every other location throughout the city of Philadelphia, where so many of us have lost our family, loved ones and friends," said Steven Robinson, founder of the Interfaith Social Change Movement.
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He and other faith leaders are asking local government to protect a fearful community so that they can help convict those who commit crimes in their communities.
"Fear has immobilized and crippled our communities to the point where our violence is out of control," Robinson said. "I call upon the neighbors in the community to address the no snitching mentality."
"The pandemic didn't make it easier," added Deacon Maria Zayas of Strong Mountain Church, "plus summer's here so it's one thing on top of the other, on top of the other, so we need help."
Rev. Calvin B. Rooks, of Christ Evangelistic Worship Ministries in Lansdowne, echoed those calls.
"One thing we do know, when something happens, somebody knows who did it," he said. "Somebody saw it, somebody knows the person that did it. So it’s time for the community to stop being silent, to come forth."
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However, Rooks said there's a reason people don't like to talk with police. He urged government to protect people who speak to police so that they feel safe doing so.
"When they come out to a crime scene, they don't know what happened, but they come out to get answers," he said of investigators. "They come out to interview people, and if the people that's there don't say anything, how can they effectively do their job?"
"And most individuals, if they got away with a crime or a murder," added Robinson, "the possibility of committing another crime or a murder is extremely high."
Zayas said she's upset but optimistic. "We can make it safe, we can make a difference," she said, though she admitted, "I don’t feel safe, a lot of times."