LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)– Lafayette has seen its share of violence with the homicide rate doubling in the last year.

Thursday’s ‘Block 2 Block Stop the Violence Rally’ wasn’t just about raising awareness but reminding the community of youth and family services available in their backyard.

Several outreach organizations attended the rally, offering a variety of free programs to keep residents engaged.

Orange shirts and balloons represented a national effort to raise awareness about gun violence.  James Joseph, one of several event organizers says it takes a unified community to curb violence.

“It’s up to us to encourage each other, support each other to educate each other.  As a member of this community…I have the responsibility to uplift awareness.  Let kids know there’s other alternatives, other ways to express themselves rather than be violent.”

Guest speakers addressed the crowd including family of homicide victims like Ayodele Lambert, whose brothers were found murdered in Lafayette in 2012.  The case is unsolved.

Lambert was too emotional to finish reading a letter she had prepared.  Her cousin read it for her.

“It’s been four years and not a day goes by that she doesn’t miss her brothers and long to hear their voices one more time.”

Also unsolved, three shooting deaths in north Lafayette alone from 2015.  Interim Lafayette Police Chief Reginald Thomas was at Thursday’s rally and was encourages to see the turnout.

“It shows that the community won’t tolerate violence and crime.” He says a task force created 4 months ago when he took over has already solved 3 other cases.

“We have leads on some of them and we’re doing a great job so what I want the community to know is we never give up and it’s just a matter of time until these murders are solved…When we work with the community and the community works with us, we can solve crime.”

Chief Thomas encourages anyone with information on the unsolved murders or other crimes to come forward.

Tips that lead to arrests could get up to a one thousand dollar reward through Crimestoppers at 232-tips.  All callers remain anonymous.