Oak Creek seeks answers to stop the violence

OAK CREEK (WITI) -- How do you change a cycle of violence? That's a difficult question asked and explored at a community forum in Oak Creek on Saturday, January 12th.

Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi was one member of a panel discussing the cycle of violence in the community. Foremost in their minds was the mass shooting at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek, the Azana Salon mass shooting, and the mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.

"We need to move into action to sort of take back some strength and belief in what we can do as human beings," said Marcia Williams of Systemic Perspectives.

The panelists commended the Sikh community for their example of forgiveness and openness after the August tragedy. They also outlined ways everyone can move forward. One of them -- stem the tide of hatred.

"Work on education to assure that we know each other," said U.S. Attorney James Santelle.

"Find things that you can do reasonably, a reasonable amount of time. If you don't want to go to Washington to fight a battle on gun control, then reach out to our mental health professionals in the area and ask what you can do to help," said Mayor Scaffidi.