Wilmington residents call for end to violence

WILMINGTON (WPVI) -- On an almost a daily basis, someone is either shot or murdered in gun violence in Wilmington.

"Too many killings and most of the killings, everyone knows who it is," resident Nathaniel Johnson said.

The problem, as most residents told Action News, is that it's been this way for months, with Wilmington now holding the dubious distinction of being the most violent city in America.

"It seems not to end and only God can answer all this, really," Minister Margaret Guy said.

Mayor Dennis Williams and his administration have been under fire for not being able to get a handle on the situation; more so, a number of residents gathered Wednesday night to talk about the poor relations between Wilmington police and many of its residence.

"We don't want anyone rising up against the police or anything of that nature so we decided we should bring people together," Imam Hackett Ishmael said.

Others say, residents also need to do their part.

"Part of the problem is no fathers, no morals, no direction, and hopefully, I'm here to put in my input and correct the situation for the city," Javier Ortega of the Good Fathers Organization said.

Then there's the Guardian Angles who have been in Wilmington now for the last two months to help in the battle against crime.

"We are known as a crime deterrent, basically be visible, watch what we see out there, making sure nobody is breaking into people's cars, any rapes going on," Marco Velez said.

With crime out of control, the Guardian Angels say now is the time for all hands on the deck and they are looking for volunteers to join them in their crime fighting effort.

Online: GuardianAngels.org