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There is a troubling trend in Sumter.  Midway through the year, that city has already had more murders than in any year--dating back more than a decade.

In February, 66-year-old James Davis, Sr. was found dead in his home.  In March police charged Kevin Isaac and Marketta McCray with starving their baby to death.  On May 7th Cornelius Woods is killed.  Three teenagers face charges in that case.  Two days later a one-year-old child is shot and killed in his front yard.  And last week 53-year-old Caldwell Wright is killed in his home.  Three people are charged in that crime.

Inside one Barbershop patrons get more than a new cut, they also discuss ways to cut down on crime. 

"If you have a problem when things are good they're going to be multiplied when things are bad," said shop owner Terry Pinkney.

Pinkney is also a life-long resident who believes bad times are linked to a tough economy and substance abuse.

"That's like the drug epidemic," said Pinkney.  "That's like until a senator's child or a mayor's child has a drug problem, it won't be addressed."

Sumter's current murder trend concerns Pinkney.  Just six months into the year and the city has experienced five murders--the total from all of last year.

"If you don't have anything that's worth fighting for, it'll die," said Pinkney.  "And you have to fight for these kids you have to fight for your community."

Vicki Parnell works in Sumter and used to live in the area for years.

"Raising our children to respect life," said Parnell.  "There's so little respect for each other's lives."

An idea Sumter Police Chief Patty Patterson echoes.

"Understanding that life is worth something, as opposed to thinking that life has no value and devaluing it," said Chief Patterson.

"Crime is hitting every area no one is being discriminated against," said Pinkney.

"The home is where everything starts and we have to better prepare our children to live in society," said Pinkney.

"The mindset of individuals has got to change in order for these senseless crimes to stop happening," said Chief Patterson.

A police chief and others committed to ending a troubling trend.

Of the five murders this year, two remained unsolved.