By Danielle Skinner
MARLIN- At a town hall meeting Marlin residents and the police department said they were fed up with the violence in their town.
Last Wednesday Marlin police responded to a violent scene of more than 20 people fighting on Park street. Sticks and bricks were thrown, sending two people to the hospital and several others were injured.
Chief of Marlin Police Darrell Allen says the fighting has gotten worse and worse, and it's been going on between the same group of people for years. What's even more unsettling is these aren't kids throwing punches. .
"These are adults that are actually fighting," he explained. "These are high school graduates, 18, 19, 20 and all the way to up to 40 who we've been arresting for this type of conduct."
Allen says none of the suspects in the fight are cooperating with investigators.
"Somebody is going to get hurt, and they are looking for the police to do something and we're saying enough is enough," Allen said.
At Tuesday night's town hall meeting police and residents say it's time for the community to step in.
"One or two can not carry the whole load, it has to be all of us pulling the same way, together in the same way," says local resident and pastor "Elretha Thompson.
Emotions flared as some thought the suspects just needed positive role models, while others thought this behavior all starts within the home.
Although nothing was officially decided at the meeting, these residents are hoping they can have another meeting with the suspects to settle their dispute.
The police department says it will continue to do its job.
"We have some very talented youth in Marlin who have become very successful," Allen said. "We can't raise them. If parents can't do it we have a place for them."
