Lakeland community rallies against crime

LAKELAND - Hundreds of people walked today for a cause that may not go away anytime soon, the violence they say is still rampant in their community.

But at Simpson Park in Lakeland, they hope their voices will be heard. Some wore T-shirts with their message: enough is enough.

The violence, they say, needs to end.

"We're just trying to bring awareness to our community, try to get our community back from all this violence and animosity and everything that's just been going on." said Priscilla Copeland

She says she loves her Lakeland neighborhood.. But she's also felt deep pain here.

In January, her dad, John Walters was murdered. 6 and a half months later, his killer hasn't been found.

"I live in this community, as well, where my father got murdered and I don't know who did it, if they're still after us, or what the cause is." she explained.

Safety is a concern for 15-year-old Kiara Abram. She came with her mom and sister, and says she's scared to go outside just to play basketball.

"Sometimes, like in the neighborhood where cars are passing by slowly, it's just not a good feeling." Kiara said.

From the teen, all the way up to Sheriff Grady Judd, the message from the was the same

"Enough's enough. Kids are killing kids with firearms, and that's got to stop." Judd said.