Crisfield Community Still Pushing For Change - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

CRISFIELD, Md. - The crime-stricken community of Crisfield is doing whatever it takes to bring the community back together.

They've experienced drugs, gun violence, and now a deadly gang battle. It's the second murder in less than 3 months, and again, a wave of fear has overcome the Crisfield community.

"I don't want guns running around our community. I don't want guns in Crisfield point blank. The bottom line is we have to pull together," said Crisfield Police Chief Michael Tabor.

He wrote in a letter to the Housing Authority, which was later presented at a scheduled meeting, that his officers are spending 70 percent of their time in the Somers Cove Apartments. That's the same place where 30-year-old Thomas Edwards was gunned down Thursday.

"We pull down the strongholds of gangs shooting up each other," said a protester.

Last November, cries for change echoed the same streets where violence is still erupting.

"Father, please be with us, help us father."

President of NAACP's Somerset County Chapter, Kirkland Hall, says he knows what its like to lose a child to the streets. Last year, his son was arrested in connection to the shooting death of 23-year-old Jessie Heath. He later pleaded guilty, and now sits behind bars. Hall says his son is remorseful, but knows he cant take it back.

"We still love him but it's a hurtful situation for our family, we're always advocating non-violence," said Hall.

Now he's hoping to start up a crisis center in Somerset County.

"We're trying to recruit young students from UMES and the neighborhood to visit these young men and talk to them about what's morally right, and what's wrong, and making the right decisions," he said.

Hall also says he's been in talks with the Crisfield Mayor about implementing this Crisis Center. We tried to contact the mayor, but our calls have not been returned.

Chief Tabor tells WMDT he has been pushing the Housing Authority to make some immediate changes that would bring down crime and make residents, there feel more safe. No word yet from The Housing Authority on current or future plans to do so.