The hundreds of citizens packed into Tennessee Temple University Gym reflected the concerns Chattanoogans have on public safety at Mayor elect Andy Berke's public forum.
"I am angry and disappointed by the events of the past two weeks. We have all been following the news. Chattanooga must be safer, stronger, and sounder in the next four years," Berke opened with.
He led the panel discussion addressing all dynamics of crime.
Pastor Dr. Ternae Jordan said, "The examples our young people are gravitating to are negative. They look at athletes, they look at the media, they look at hip hop artists and they believe those messages."
"Families where violence is occuring in the home are the training grounds for all the major violent crimes that we have," said Charlotte Boatwright.
Berke said one of the most important parts of the solution is getting the whole community to work together.
After the panel discussion, they broke up into groups and talked about problems in their neighborhoods and ideas they have to solving the crime issue.
"Government has to be on the streets and know where the crime is. But we also have to make sure people are helping us along the way," Berke said.
Residents had intense conversations and say they all came out of it with constructive tools and ideas.
"I think it bridges the gap. Because if it's happening in my community that's also happening in your community, that's my neighbors community, that's my coworkers community," said Karitsa Mosley.
"The people who live in the community and live in Chattanooga know what their problems are and if they have the resources from the city, they can solve the problems including gangs and so on," said Leroy Griffith.
