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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Hundreds of people started their Saturday morning singing throughout the area near Karen Avenue and Mountain Vista Street.  It's a part of "Operation of Hope," a prayer walk to take back the streets from criminals.

"We're taking them away from the crime that has just overrun the city, the homelessness that's overrun the city, the drug dealing that's overrun the city," said Paul Curran, who walked on behalf of Foundation for a Drug-Free World.

The initiative was founded by Metro officers stationed at the Southeast Area Command who once again volunteered their own time to join the faith based community in a show of solidarity on our streets.

"To know that we're together and we want to make a difference and we want people to know that no matter where we are, we're all together and we're there for you," said State Senator Barbara Cegavske

Metro says even though the area has become one of the most criminally active neighborhoods in the Southeast valley, they want residents to know they have not been forgotten.

“It's about taking care of the quality of life of people who live in that area,” said Metro Capt. Vinny Cannito.

Crime wasn’t the only thing being targeted; officers said they're trying to clean up the physical condition of the neighborhood as well.  They said they've already gone through the area with county officials and they plan on sending code enforcement violations to the owners of rundown buildings.