WARREN — With a string of violent crimes lingering over the city in recent weeks, city officials hope to show a sense of community as they move past them.

As part of his report at Wednesday’s regular city council meeting, Mayor Doug Franklin announced plans to address the community via a news conference at 10:30 a.m. today in city council chambers, alongside police Chief Erik Merkel.

Franklin said he had the honor and duty of attending Tuesday’s balloon release vigil for Vontisha Williams following her death in a shooting last week.

“There were probably about 75 family members and friends who gathered at the parking lot of Packard Music Hall — it was well-attended,” Franklin said. “First of all, I wanted to meet the family members, to express our concerns as a community, and share with them our thoughts and prayers.”

Franklin said he couldn’t help but notice younger children present, noting another woman who was also shot during the attack was present, adding that he saw the waves of trauma she, her siblings and father were feeling.

“That’s one thing that I ask all of you, the community, to come together and to work as one, because these senseless acts of violence not only lead to death, but there’s also a means of trauma in the neighborhood and the families; particularly the young children are scarred for a lifetime,” Franklin said.

Franklin invited city officials to attend the news conference, as it would show a sense of unity and reflect how acts of violence don’t reflect the community’s image.

“That’s not who we are,” Franklin said.

Franklin said the city’s grant team has helped secure a violent crime reduction grant totaling $68,000. He said the money will go toward overtime for the police department’s street crimes unit and tablet devices for the officers.

Councilman Ronald White, D-7th Ward, said he also attended the balloon release, echoing a call for action.

“We have to help our safety forces, we have to help the police on this here; if you see something, say something,” White said. “People have Ring (doorbell) cameras, too; you’re not missing too much, but hopefully someone will come out and speak on it, so we can get this year of problems alleviated.”

Franklin said after the meeting that he prefers to meet with families before doing news conferences, which is why it’s set for today.

“I will be trying to lay out some asks for the community to step up,” Franklin said. “As well as what we plan as a city, in terms of our law enforcement capabilities to bring justice to the families and to create peace on our streets as well.”

Franklin said he hopes to address everything, adding that it goes beyond senseless gun violence, which he called a “big part of it,” but noted some mental health aspects, such as suicide and domestic violence.

“We’re seeing that’s contributing to that homicide number that we’re concerned about, and we need to take a holistic approach to how we’re going to address it,” Franklin said.

Williams’ death marks the fifth in the city so far this year. There were seven homicides in 2025.