COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus has now had its 37th homicide of the year after a man was shot and killed late Tuesday night along Parsons Avenue on the South Side.

It is the latest in a recent trend of violence in the city throughout May. Police data shows the number of homicides in the city has increased by at least 10 since the start of the month.

Community leaders said they still have faith they can shift the trend back in the right direction.

“We have to grieve those lost as a community and then they have to rally back together and say, ‘What can we do to make a difference? What can we do to continue to see the record low numbers of homicides in our community?’” Cityview Church Pastor Joe Graves said.

According to police data, the city’s homicide rate is still significantly down compared to 71 homicides at this time last year.

Graves is working with the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children on their mission Operation Under Triple Digits, a data-driven approach in partnership with local community organizations, Columbus police and city leaders. The goal is to keep the city’s annual homicide number below 100 for the first time in years.

“We’re talking through the data, we’re having conversations around the table, and then they are putting together strategies for how to respond to the uniqueness of each incident in their circles of influence,” Graves said. “So really the way in which we’re using data is we’re getting it to the people who need it.”

Pastor Michael Young with the City of Grace Church said its work from this organization and other anti-violence groups around the city causing the change.

“I think what we’re seeing is we’re seeing the fruit of a lot of people’s hard work, and while there may have been a more recent uptick, the reality is, as 2024 has been off to a tremendous start,” Young said.

Young said it is especially hard to see young people involved in crime. He said the city of Columbus is making record investments into summer youth programming and its the role models in their lives job to urge these young people to get involved in those programs.

“There’s something for them positive to be involved in in these summer months so whether it be parents, whether it be guardians, whether it be those who are attached to the educational system, those in the faith community making sure that their God is being directed to those positive environments and positive outlets, I think is an important measure,” Young said.

Both men said even with all this collaboration, more help is needed.

“The reality is, we as a city certainly have the power to stop the violence, but to say that a small group of people can do it by themselves is to miss the whole point,” Graves said. “It’s only when we come together.”

The Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children is also issuing a summer love challenge on its Facebook page calling on people to put the guns down.

Graves said 100 Days of Love Challenge is an invitation to get more people involved with their fight. He said it should also increase their motivation.

“Let’s intentionally get to know our neighbors,” he said. “Let’s provide support to people who need it. Let’s show up and serve. Let’s show up and volunteer. 100 Days of Love is a way in which we can invite ourselves to imagine a different kind of city and it’s only when we all do that together once again, that we’re going to see the change that we want to see.”

Part of Operation Triple Digits is signing a pledge to help stop the violence; Graves said that around 250 people have signed the pledge, but they are always looking for more.