Organizer Sgt. Patrick Britton with the Port Arthur Police Department said the #Meet Me At The Pavilion march held Saturday morning in downtown Port Arthur was more than a response to the recent spike in violence in the city — it’s to bring the city into one accord and to start the real work.

Britton organized the march on his own and not with the PAPD.

He told the audience it’s not too late for the march. In fact, they’re right on time. He emphasized the march is not about getting together and then going home. It’s about getting to work.

The march went from Lamar State College Port Arthur to the downtown Pavilion. There were prayers, music by DJ Shocka Shawn, an inspirational message by Mark “Coobie” Mayfield, and more.

Mayfield is a Port Arthur native who grew up in Carver Terrace Apartments. He said he was to give his testimony on how his life has changed since he left prison. He’s now a family man, working everyday.

“Change is good,” he said. “I tell young people embrace being a man and shy away from the thug aura.

“Parents can teach kids all the values and respect, but it’s up to them (children) to use them.”

The city of Port Arthur has experienced seven homicides so far this year; five of which have suspects in custody, and one was “no billed,” meaning a grand jury did not indict the accused. There has also been non-fatal shootings in the city where, many times, the victim declines to name the shooter.

Deborah Freeman said she was at the march to be a part of brining the city together so “young people will stop killing each other.”

She said when Britton called here and told her about the march, Freeman said she was in. She added that Britton is a good young man who loves the city.

“I know on a national level marches are being held about guns killing our kids. But in the same vein, God is doing something else in our nation about senseless killings.

“We need to raise our children like it takes a village to raise our children. We came through one storm and now we’re going through another one.”

Gerald Tervalon wants to bring prayer back in schools to quell violence. However, he believes prayer should start in the homes.

Deirdre Hines, a volunteer, said violence is out of control and she wants to contribute to the city.

“We’re prisoners in our own homes,” she said.

Hines is a mother to three boys — ages 24, 16 and 17. She said this budding anti-violence organization will reach out to different areas of the city and they will be “putting our hands on our kids.”

“This is just the beginning. We’ll start mentoring programs and get with kids and their parents on how to fill out a job application and how to do a job interview.”

Patrick Melvin, chief of police, said the march is “great stuff” because it’s the community coming together to be safe.

“I’m excited to be a part of this collaborative effort. There’s children, middle-aged people and elders here with the goal of a safer community. Teamwork makes the dream work,” he said. “We cannot allow our youth to do this to each other. Our youth is our future.”

Melvin told the audience if they see firearms lying around, they can bring them to the Port Arthur Police Department at 645 Fourth St., no questions asked.

He added that the police are targeting those who are causing issues in the city, not law-abiding citizens.

Mayor Derrick Freeman said politicians can get together to legislate things, but for morality to change it needs to start at the family and community level.inH