Barrett on Ceasefire Sabbath: "I'm going to continue to reach into every neighborhood"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee's "Ceasefire Week" wrapped up on Sunday, May 18th -- on "Ceasefire Sabbath." Just hours before Ceasefire Sabbath began, Milwaukee police responded to three shootings within just 20 minutes as Saturday night turned into Sunday morning.

Three people were injured in shootings late Saturday night/early Sunday morning -- including a 40-year-old man who is said to be in grave condition.

Despite the violence, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett visited several churches on Sunday morning -- spreading his "Ceasefire Sabbath" message.

On Sunday morning, Mayor Barrett sat among the congregation at St. Hyacinth Church.

After Mass, he delivered his own address to church members.

It began with Mayor Barrett speaking in Spanish -- but his message was one he hoped everyone would understand and take to heart.

"I asked them if they had a son in their life or a man in their life that they loved -- to make sure he stays away from illegal guns, illegal drugs and gangs," Mayor Barrett said.

Mayor Barrett wants to promote peace -- and encourage Milwaukee residents to put the guns down.

"This takes all hands, and I want this to be a grassroots effort. That means the grass has to grow. It means the people have to work with the people in their lives to make an impact," Mayor Barrett said.

Those who live in Milwaukee neighborhoods impacted by crime and violence say it impacts everyone -- and each person has to be a part of the change.

"It's important the community make an effort as well to spread out the news that it's important that everybody take part in making things better," Virginia Cordova said.

Ceasefire Sabbath is just one part of Mayor Barrett's effort to make the city of Milwaukee safer for everyone.

Mayor Barrett says this is a multi-faceted approach, and says the city is fighting crime on many levels.

"We are going to continue hitting this on the law enforcement front, the prosecution front -- continue to hit it on the community front, the religious front -- every place we can," Mayor Barrett said.

Mayor Barrett says the shootings we have seen during Ceasefire Week have been a catalyst for his outreach efforts.

"I know it's going to happen. We just have to keep our foot on the accelerator on this. I'm going to continue to reach into every neighborhood," Mayor Barrett said.

Mayor Barrett says he has plans to create jobs for people this summer -- saying he knows if people don't have something to do, they're more likely to get into trouble.

In all, Mayor Barrett visited six churches on Sunday morning.

One of the big events during Ceasefire Week was a gun buy back event held on Saturday, May 17th.

That event led to 353 guns being taken off the streets -- including 234 handguns, 115 rifles, and four assault weapons.