SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) - In just 24 hours, two men were killed in two unrelated crimes on opposite ends of the City of Syracuse.
"We've had a couple of cases, a couple of incidents, so we're out actively working all those incidents and asking for the public's help," said Sgt.Gary Bulinski of the Syracuse Police Department.
As police work in the forefront to find the people responsible for Friday’s murders, there is a quiet army working in the background, waging a war against violence in their community.
"We can't stop the violence or whatever happens in the streets but we can give the kids a chance to see something different and that it’s more to life than what you see out here in Syracuse," said Eddie Mitchell of Team A.N.G.E.L.
After losing more than 100 friends and family members to street violence, Mitchell and his friends started Team A.N.G.E.L. which stands for Avoid Negative Garbage, Enjoy Life.
"Team A.N.G.E.L. is a mentoring program, after-school program, summer program that helps out kids with day-to-day conflict resolutions," said Mitchell.
Instead of getting caught up in the “street life,” Mitchell and his team work to change lives by fighting crime with knowledge.
"We can't change everything in the world but we can give kids the opportunity to see something different and as long as you do something productive with your life to benefit, then that's what to do in life," Mitchell explained.
Mitchell volunteers nearly 12 hours a day at the Southwest Community Center, teaching kids how to stay out of trouble and stay on the right track so they won't experience the same heartache and pain he did.
"It hurts to lose a lot of friends that you see, that you've been raised with Pop Warner, basketball, elementary school, high school it hurts to see people you've lost, that you've been with that are are actually not here anymore," said Mitchell.
To learn more about Team A.N.G.E.L. or donate to their efforts call the Southwest Community Center at (315) 474-6823.
