Dalton Seeks Racial Unity

It's a small city that residents say is facing a major crisis. Tension between different races is leading to crime in Dalton, Georgia. The latest was a black teenager gunned down last week allegedly by a Latino gang. Now the community is saying enough is enough. Tuesday was the first in a series of monthly city-wide meetings to address this problem. It comes after city council Monday spent $225,000 to put more police on the street. But the question is, will all this stop the ongoing violent crimes in Dalton? "No matter our racial, ethnic, and personal differences, we are one people, and we are determined to stay that way," Dalton City Administrator Butch Sanders told the diverse crowd.

Local leaders, pastors and residents at the meeting try to come together through faith to admit a problem facing the city.

"Because there's myths out there, about what we think of each other," said Pastor Erma Raymond. "We are made up of different cultures and we have to honor each other and respect one another, amen?"

Pastor Norberto Reyes told the crowd "we must be able to live together, shop together, go to school together, and attend church together."

But the big question remains: How, if ever, will peace be found in a city where different worlds are colliding every day?

"Do you think it's even possible?" NewsChannel 9's Seth Seymour asked the president of Dalton's Coalition of Latino Leaders.

Responded America Grumer, "I think it is, or at least to reduce the violence rate."