MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – People hit the streets Monday in response to a recent rash of gun violence that has affected communities in South Florida.
People from the Walking One Stop organization go into neighborhoods hit by shootings, homicides and persistent crime to raise awareness in the community and bring a stop to the violence.
Monday's walk was to the scene of a drive-by shooting that killed an 8-year-old girl.
Jada Page was shot in the head Aug. 28 outside her grandmother's home on Northwest 25th Avenue, just south of 103rd Street.
She died a few days before her ninth birthday.
"It's tragic. It's tragic when any child, any adult loses their life," Miami-Dade police Maj. Ricky Carter said.
The police cruisers and flashing lights were back on 25th Avenue on Monday, but with a different purpose.
"We find a lot of times, in neighborhoods like these, they really need our help and our assistance, and it creates a forum," Carter said.
"To see the whole community come together to bring help and resources and services, they appreciate that," Walking One Stop organizer Wayne Rawlins said.
Rawlins also works with the Miami-Dade Anti-gang Strategy. Police have partnered for the last six years with volunteers, elected officials, counselors, victims and trauma service providers to help their communities.
The group goes door to door offering information and help, not just for households, but entire blocks.
"It brings hope to people that feel hopeless and feel forgotten, because we're going to the places that most people don't want to go," Rawlins said.
People from the organization said they have conducted about 60 walks in various neighborhoods since 2010.
No arrests have been made in Jada's killing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. A $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.