Vicksburg police are asking the public to show their support for stopping violence by taking a stroll downtown.

VPD’s sixth annual Walk Against Crime begins at 9 a.m. Saturday on the steps of City Hall en route to the Warren County Court House, said Community Resource Officer Danielle Williams.

“We’re having crime victims come out and their families. We’re going to have some guest speakers,” Williams said.

The theme of this year’s walk is Stop the Violence. Speakers include Police Chief Walter Armstrong, Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. and Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace, she said.

More than 100 people are expected to participate in the walk.

“We’ve reached out to the community and went to all four high schools,” she said.

Armstrong said the walk is a way for the community to show solidarity in the continuing fight against all types of crime.

“We think it’s very important the community partners with us in our efforts to make Vicksburg a safer place. Much of what we accomplish is when the community is involved,” Armstrong said.

Most recently, complaints about drug activity helped lead to the arrests of 18 suspects in a year-long investigation dubbed “Operation Long Time Coming.”

“When the community shows interest in helping the police department solve crime, it leads to a safer community,” Armstrong said. “We’re just asking the community to come out and support us.

While the walk is focused at stopping violence, Armstrong said, battling all crime makes Vicksburg a safer place that is more appealing to visitors.

“The citizens need to understand it doesn’t matter whether it’s a crime of public drunk or drug sales or loud music, all crime is important and it should be addressed,” Armstrong said. “We respond to any and all crimes. We encourage the community to continue to engage us.”