TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa City leaders are focusing on the growing problem of crime in the city.

At Thursday's city council meeting, families will be speaking about the issue.

The Tampa Bay area has recorded more than a dozen violent crimes since January.

As of right now, victims can go to the State Attorney’s Office for help, but to cater more to Tampa residents, the Tampa Police started a new victim advocate program. The city council meeting will justify what they will do.

At the meeting, families who lost loved ones due to gun violence will be shining a light on how police can help victims. The goal would be to fill in the gaps on what’s needed.

They will be talking to Tampa Police about a compensation fund that can help relocate individuals in domestic violence cases, or even funeral expenses.

They’ll also discuss assistance with replacing important papers, counseling and a retreat for those who have experienced critical incidents.

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there were more than 2.6 million people that were victims of crimes in the U.S. in 2020.