West Baltimore residents are frustrated by the high rate of violent crimes in their community and what they feel is a lack of police presence.
"We are very displeased with what we call the lack of service, the lack of protection that our community is receiving," said community activist, Marvin Cheatham.
Community activists held a news conference Wednesday to express their concerns.
"I see the killings and the shootings and the people are crying out," said community activist Reverend Keith Bailey. "What are we going to do?"
The police say they're doing everything they can to protect and serve. The say they know that violence is plaguing the area.
"There are very few people coming into the communities to commit crimes some of them are present in the community so we have to work together," said Major Sheree Briscoe, Western District Commander.
It's a battle that many folks say will be an uphill one.
"Our people are shut in because they cannot get out because they're scared to walk the streets," Bailey said. "It's a sad situation."
The difficulty remains finding a way for community and city leaders to work together successfully.
