By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A community organization has planned a remembrance service and balloon release in honor of the 17 unsolved murders in the city of Salisbury.

The group, Rowan Salisbury Women Community Action Committee, was formed in June 2016 and includes “women concerned about the welfare of the local community,” said Chariel Dye, co-organizer of the remembrance service. “The goal is to empower and uplift us as a minority community.”

The Heal the Community service will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Bounce City, 120 N. Church St.

“In light of all the murders, we want people to know we still haven’t forgotten them. We want to keep their memory alive with information so we can close some of these murders,” Dye said.

She said once the group’s members realized how many unsolved murders there are, they grew concerned and wanted to create a space for families and the community.

One of the featured speakers is retired Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Detective Garry McFadden. The other is the Rev. Tim Bates, a local minister and community leader.

Bates is founder of Night Crawlers, a group of ministers and community advocates who travel throughout different neighborhoods to pray with the people who live there.

Bates serves Cameron Presbyterian and Calvary Presbyterian churches in Statesville.

The Rev. Anthony Smith, co-pastor of Mission House in Salisbury, will preside over the balloon release.

Dye said organizers have reached out to the families of those killed and have members of at least 10 families confirmed to attend.

The owners of Bounce City have offered to keep the facility open after the service for any children who want to play for free.

Area law enforcement officers have been invited to attend.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.