In Virginia, the Loudoun County's Sheriff Office has called an emergency community meeting to discuss a recent rash of violence in Sterling Park.

Jessica Forres reports…

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Marty Pastrana lives down the street from where a 17-year old woman and 18-year old man were shot on September 13.

EVERY YEAR MORE AND MORE THINGS ARE HAPPENING OVER HERE IN THIS AREA.

That same night..a couple streets over...a young man was found with a knife-wound. His blood still stains the street. One resident...prefers to remain anonymous.

WE WERE REALLY SHOCKED AS I SAID THE NEIGHBORS THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING WRONG THAT I PROBABLY WAS SICK BECAUSE THE AMBULANCE WAS RIGHT THERE.

Five days later three young men were wounded in a drive by shooting near the other crime scenes. Chelsea Brucksheen, a college student, lives in the cul-de-sac where it happened.

THIS IS THE VERY FIRST VIOLENT CRIME THAT WE'VE HAD. THERE'S BEEN LIKE VANDALISM AND STUFF ALL THROUGHOUT, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST SERIOUS THING THAT'S HAPPENED.

The spurt of violence last week and an overall increase in crime throughout the county has Steve Simpson, Loudoun County's Sherriff worried…

WHEN YOU HAVE THIS TYPE OF VIOLENT CRIME WHETHER IT'S A RASH DEPENDING ON HOW THEY GO AND IF DOES TURN OUT TO BE GANG RELATE IT COULD BE THAT IT COULD LEAD TO MORE PROBLEMS.

Tonight there will a cummunity meeting about the recent events. It will be held at Park View High School at 6:30 p.m.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

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In Virginia, the Loudoun County Sherriff's Office is reaching out to the community to talk about the recent acts of violence happening in Sterling.

Jessica Forres reports…

Boomp3.com'>LISTEN TO STORY 2 THAT AIRED ON WAMU RADIO!

Last week, nearly five young people were either shot or stabbed in the neighborhood of Sterling Park…one of the oldest residential communities built in Loudoun County.

Steve Simpson is Loudoun County's Sheriff. He says changing demographics, an increase in population and a bad economy may explain the recent crime wave.

THERE'S A LOT MORE FOLKS MOVING INTO THE COUNTY WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH. THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FURTHER SERVICES TRYING TO GET INTO THESE COMMUNITIES IN SOME CASES WHERE THESE FOLKS ARE VICTIMIZED BY THEIR OWN BASICALLY AND THEY'RE NOT COMFORTABLE IN OUR SYSTEM.

One resident…she prefers to remain anonymous…lives on North Amelia Street….where a 25 year old man was found with a knife-wound…His blood still stains the street.

THE AMBULANCE WAS RIGHT THERE. THE AREA HAS BEEN VERY SAFE, WE HAVE NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER THAT I KNOW OF.

The community meeting is tonight at 6:30 at Park View High School.