Community leaders discuss prevention of violent crimes

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) -- South Florida community leaders gathered in hopes to stop the violence after a car wash owner was shot and killed while trying to stop his customer from being robbed.

Pastors from Miami-Dade County and Miami Gardens came together Wednesday afternoon at the New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church, to figure out ways to ask the community to come forward by providing critical clues to police.

The leaders gathered after the death of Errol Peart. Peart was gunned down Saturday afternoon at his well-known Miami Gardens car wash. According to police, Peart died helping a client who was being robbed by two people.

Reverend Jimmy King is the pastor at Peart's church. "That would be so much helpful if everyone took the time to think about this community to make it better, if they see something, say something," said King.

Miami Gardens Police said the crime rates in the city have gone down, but murders like Peart's over shadow the progress. "When we have one of these shootings it hurts us, it hurts us as a police department almost as much as families who have to deal the lost of a loved one," said Miami Gardens Police Department Major Alfred Lewers Jr.

Peart's family believes guns must be taken off the streets to make it a better community. "We need to do that, I don't know how, but we have to start something. There's too many guns out there," said Peart's wife Dawn Barret.

The pastor's vowed to address their congregation this weekend to try and spread the word of cooperation. "The main key is to break the code of silence, that's what I'm asking, Miami Gardens and make our community safe again like it was 40 years ago," said Reverend Eric D Readon Sr.

Police have not arrested anyone in this case.

If you have any information on this shooting, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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