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'Stop the Violence' event held in Riviera Beach

Riviera Beach police chief hopes to bring closure to 7 unsolved fatal shootings
Posted at 6:49 PM, Dec 05, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-05 20:33:00-05

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — About 10 months after taking over the Riviera Beach Police Department, Chief Nathan Osgood is not happy with the number of fatal shootings in the community.

There have been 14 so far in 2020 (five more than in 2019), and seven of those remain unsolved.

Osgood held a "Stop the Violence" march, canvass and rally Saturday to reclaim the streets. And he brought a lot of backup.

Police officers from Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Delray Beac, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office helped Riviera Beach police march and canvass neighborhoods plagued with gun violence.

RELATED: 'Stop the Violence' weekend march organized by Riviera Beach police

They canvassed from Cunningham Park to Goodmark Park to Monroe Heights Park from 8-10 a.m.

They then rallied at Cunningham Park, where officers and deputies held signs depicting victims.

Relatives and people impacted by gun violence discussed the importance of coming forward and combating gun violence.

Osgood said he hopes the march results in closing the seven cases that are still open.

He said this is not the end. He will hold another march and canvass in the very near future if arrests aren't made and he plans to visit schools.

WPTV reporter Todd Wilson served as emcee for the event.