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Hazelwood Residents Band Together To Fight Violence

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – They may come from different directions geographically, but their position on affecting change is the same.

The Walk For Peace had four starting points throughout Hazelwood and Glen Hazel, with everyone meeting at the gazebo on Second Avenue for a demonstration and vigil.

"I think Hazelwood gets a bad rap and I think this is a good neighborhood and there's going to be great things coming," said Jeannette Gonzalez.

"We want to get our house in order," said Rev. Michael Murray. "We can't believe everyone's going to come in an fix this house. We gotta start at home."

Rev. Murray was referring to the relationship with Pittsburgh Police. The zone's commander calls these residents fighters.

"And they keep winning the battle to make their neighborhood good," said Cmdr. Kathy Degler. "And it's disappointing to see this shooting happen."

Their council representative was in the crowd too, assuring those who asked that budget money should bolster the police force.

Councilman Corey O'Connor says there needs to be more officers and changes.

"Well, it's a mixture of both," he said. "Years ago, we did talk about -- and the chief talked about it last week. Take the officers behind the desk and turn those maybe into civilian jobs and getting more officers out on the street. And this year, we budgeted for more officers in our upcoming budget."

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