In an effort to address the ever-growing issue of violence in the community, the city of Akron is asking the public to step up and come forward to help solve these senseless murders.

Akron City Council President Marco Sommerville says Akron Police can't do it alone.

"In order for the police to apprehend these individuals, we need more information," Sommerville said.

"Every day that goes by, it becomes harder and harder for police to solve these cases and they need to talk about it and tell us so we can get these people off the street."

There have been two murders within two weeks on the city's west side. Both have no suspects in custody.

  City Council President Marco Sommerville by Aaron Coleman

At the City Council meeting Monday night,  Sommerville commended a group of Buchtel High School girls who addressed the Council during the meeting's public speaking period.

We're going to work with them, develop them, and also figure out through them how we can change this tide of violence in the community."

Rachel Whittaker, who leads an anti-violence group says it's been a scary time in her neighborhood.

"I was at track practice and I was scared, and I see certain things and I'm scared to go to school, scared to walk up and down the streets," Whittaker said.

 Listen to Whittaker address the Council here:

  Rachel Whittaker by Aaron Coleman

 The group, called "Praying for Better Days"  says that they formed together to try and heal their community and end community violence as a tribute to their classmate Willie Brewer III, who tragically passed away March 30.

Sommerville knows that this group is going to need some tools to be effective and said he and the rest of the Council body and administration would willingly work with them, including helping find a home base.

"We have community centers and community learning centers at our disposal," he explained.

"We also need to see what else the group needs in order to be successful and see what the city needs to be safe and successful."

Other community groups in attendance last night were the Stop the Violence Coalition and Love Akron.

Ward 4 Councilman Russel Neal, Jr. says communication is the key to keeping Akron safe and tragedies from happening.

"If we're going to do anything, is has to be now," Neal said.