Albany’s rate of nine homicides this year is sparking the call for change from members of the community.

Saturday, the city’s NAACP branch hosted a forum inside the Albany Public Library on Washington Avenue.

A wide range of panelists, from the owner of a local barbershop to a behaviora health specialist, took part in the discussion on gun violence.

Among the dozens in the audience, were mMayor Kathy Sheehan and Assemblyman John McDonald.

Panelists pointed to poverty , unemployment, and enviornment as just some of the many possible factors for the city’s surge in gun violence, this summer. 

“Individual hopelessness as well as a community of hopelessness because you think those that are supposed to help you don’t care about you," said Carolyn McLaughlin, former Albany Common Council President. "I think sometimes I'm a troll on Facebook because I read what people are saying and people, they believe, nobody cares."