Residents and community members in the Capitol City are coming together to stop the violence on Wednesday. So far this year, there have been 28 homicides in the city.
The numbers have continued to grow throughout the year, but especially in the summer months. On Monday, a man was shot and killed near Weaver High School marking the eighth homicide in an eight-day period.
The Greater Hartford National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is announcing a new initiative that they say will combat violence and foster unity.
Get top local stories in Connecticut delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC Connecticut's News Headlines newsletter.
The chapter has created a recurring event called Wake Up Wednesdays. It is aimed at addressing the issue of violence in the Greater Hartford community and promoting unity among its residents.
The NAACP said they hope Wake Up Wednesdays will be a unique opportunity for individuals to actively engage on the streets in creating positive change and are encouraging volunteers to come out and pick a shift that works for them in the morning, noon or night.
The initiative is at Unity Plaza on Barbour Street with the latest shift ending at 10 p.m.