One week after the city of Newark was recognized for reducing violence, News 12 New Jersey was given exclusive access to the Newark Community Street Team – a group working to improve the city.

The Newark Community Street Team credits the community for the drop in violence. Last year, Newark marked a 62-year low for homicides. The organization believes that was made possible by putting public safety in the public’s hands.

“I done been to over 300 funerals…I do this work because we need to grasp these kids, we need to do more in the community,” says team member Diane Jennings.

Members of the Newark Community Street Team met Thursday evening at Chadwick Avenue and West Bigelow Street in Newark’s Clinton Hill section as part of a community walk. This is where one of three walks that happened on Thursday kicked off.

The team chose to start on this block because just a few days ago a man was shot near the corner store at the intersection of West Runyon Street and Chadwick Avenue. The team says it’s about building relationships with residents, especially around a violent incident.

Watch/read the News12 story.