MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Milwaukee city and faith leaders came together Thursday morning to promote peace as part of the annual Ceasefire Sabbath.

Thursday morning’s discussion at Parklawn Assembly of God Church kicked off the 14th year of the effort to curb gun violence in the city.

Mayor Tom Barrett and Police Chief Alfonso Morales talked about the importance of building relationships throughout the city with all residents.

To help reduce gun violence, Chief Morales said among many things, he wants officers to be assigned smaller parts of the city to get to know the neighborhoods and people better. He added that it has to be a team effort to make a difference in the city. Mayor Barrett said the faith community can help.

“The fact of the matter is an elected official, a politician can talk to some people, city government can talk to some people. We had people from the police department who can work and talk to some people but you [faith community leaders] can reach so many people that we cannot reach,"  Barrett said.

Morales and Barrett said homicides are slightly up compared to this time last year but non-fatal shootings are down.