TAMPA — About 150 people joined with Mayor Bob Buckhorn and former Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy in a march Saturday through East Tampa in efforts to take back their streets and restore safety to their community.
This was the second march against violent crime to take place this past month in light of an increase in homicides this year.
"We're going to go send a message that this violence has got to stop," Buckhorn told the crowd gathered at the Tampa Police Department District III station. "Evil will not win."
Shortly after noon, the crowd of residents, police officers, local leaders and mothers of slain children started walking along East Lake Avenue, chanting: "Save our children" and "Up with hope, down with dope."
Their message was one of unity. Though the rally was organized by the Tampa Police Department, it could only find success through buy-in from the community, especially the young people whose lives are most affected by the violence, said Officer Gerald Lovett.
Many spoke out against a damaging "no snitching" culture they say has perpetuated the violence.
Tonya Mosley carried a poster of her son, Aviance Mosley, who was shot and killed on March 29, 2014.
"I think the community needs to step up and not to be afraid to speak out so we can stop these senseless killings," Mosley said.
Though Mosley said police know who killed her son, she said they have been unable to charge the individual because of a lack of evidence. Until people come forward, she will not find justice or peace.
"I feel betrayed by my community," Mosley said. "They wouldn't speak out. They wouldn't say who did this to my child."
Interim Police Chief Eric Ward, whose appointment by Buckhorn to replace Jane Castor is awaiting City Council confirmation, made a brief appearance at the end of the event to shake hands and take photos.
"What we need to do is get away from that 'stop snitching' culture and get back to a community of responsibility," Ward said. "When somebody gets shot in East Tampa, nobody calls. When someone steals a bike in South Tampa, you get 100 people calling. That's something we need to change."
Former Green Bay Packers linebacker K.D. Williams, who grew up in West Tampa, also attended Saturday's event. Williams, who still spends four or five months a year at his Tampa home, said he's thankful that Ward, someone who grew up in East Tampa, was selected as the new chief.
"We care about him, because we know he's going to make sure these things will be implemented in our neighborhoods," Williams said. "You want to help a community, you bring someone in from that community."
Both Ward and Williams said they think the "no snitching" culture is worse now than when they were growing up. But despite an unwillingness to come forward and report problems, Williams said, overall, he thinks there is a strong element of trust between the Police Department and community members.
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Explore all your optionsEvents like Saturday's rally help encourage and strengthen that relationship, Ward said.
"We've always been able to talk to our police officers here," Williams said. "I haven't seen a lot of police brutality here or profiling where it causes damages. ... I hope it never gets to that point here."
Contact Caitlin Johnston at cjohnston@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3401. Follow @cljohnst.