CAMBRIDGE, Md. - The Cambridge Police Department hosted a town hall meeting with the community because crime within the city has gotten out of hand.

The Police Chief Justin Todd says the goal of this is to establish more communication with people and build a strong relationship between the police and the communities. Todd says, "Anything to better that communication, better the trust, and the trust within the community." He added, "We want to show transparency within our community and that is my number one goal."

It wasn't a packed house at the Empowerment Center on Pine St. but people say the discussion was still needed.

Gary Gordy says, "I love my city. I love Cambridge, but Cambridge is going down the wrong path right now."

During the meeting, the police department touched on how the police operate like training and policing the streets. They discussed juvenile crime and how it has drastically increased in the past few years. And, what the police needs from the community.

Gordy says he came to learn about how everyone can work with the police. He says, "Dealing with the police department and stuff and the things that they need. The things that are going on in different divisions and stuff with the police department. They need more officers."

Mackenzie Freeman hopes these meetings will help establish trust within the police and the community.

"I feel like its important to be in touch with law enforcement as a community member so you can voice your opinions about what's going on and how things are being treated in the community. Without a voice and without them being able to hear your feedback its something that they can really do to improve the situations that go on around here," says Freeman

While others hope future meetings will bring a younger audience.

"A lot of youth need to know what's going on. A lot of young people should be able to come out and maybe get resources on what they can do in the community," says Donyel Freeman. 

Todd says this was the first meeting they have done and they hope to do more. For now, the next meeting is to be decided.