BAKER- In recent months, the city of Baker has seen an increase in violent crime.

Most recently, a shooting took the life of 18-year-old Anireeyah Brue.

City leaders are coming together to combat the rise in violence in the area. 

On Thursday night, the first in a series of community meetings called "Hope in the Midst" is being hosted. It is a community safety planning program put on with the help of Pivot4Peace and the Diontrey Claiborne Stop The Violence organization.

The event starts Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Baker Municipal Auditorium.