TAMPA -- Gun violence in the City of Tampa and a recent string of anti-semitic demonstrations will be center stage during Thursday's city council meeting.  

The city council plans to speak openly about a pair of hate fueled incidents over the last couple of months affecting Tampa residents. In June, a number of anti-semitic fliers were found in South Tampa neighborhoods. Last weekend, a protest outside of the Tampa Convention Center shared the same sentiments.

Tampa Police Chief Mary O'Connor will attend Thursday's meeting and plans to discuss the incidents with city council and expand on law enforcement response. 

Chief O'Connor also plans to give an update on the department's new victim advocate program. The Tampa Police Department plans to hire someone to fill the victim advocate position over the next few weeks so the program can continue to take shape.

The program helps connect the families of gun violence victims with funding offered through the Florida Attorney General's Office. These funds provide families with help with funeral expenses, relocation, and lost wages as a direct result of the crime. 

It also assists with counseling, any transportation they may need,  and overall support for families affected by violent crime.

This new position will be a direct help to grieving families. 

 "When you lose someone, especially a child, you're not thinking about your bills or what's going to happen next," said Johnny Johnson, who lost his son in 2017.

"Bills don't stop, even in tragedy," added Patricia Brown, who lost  her son in 2020. 

Chief O'Connor also plans to ask the city council for their support in creating a memorial for the victims of gun violence. Johnson hopes to see it take shape at Ragan Park.  

"We have to change the atmosphere in the community and that's just one way of showing that the city and community cares, and there's solidarity," he said.

Other issues on the agenda include approving raises for first responders.