Republican mayoral candidate Melissa Murray Bailey holds conference on gun violence

NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Melissa Murray Bailey, Republican candidate for mayor, held a press conference in North Philadelphia Thursday in an effort to draw attention to gun violence.

Bailey spoke at a playground at 8th and Diamond near the site of a recent shooting.

If elected, she said she'll beef-up community policing and partner with community leaders.

"We are in a time of crisis in our city, where we just have violence and murders" said Bailey. "People in this neighborhood are afraid to come out of their house."

Democratic candidate Jim Kenney said Bailey could address gun violence by helping lobby her fellow Republicans in Harrisburg to pass gun control measures.

He said part of his anti-violence plan includes job growth, education and rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes.