Ideas to combat violent crime were offered by city leaders Monday night at the Town Hall in Seattle, where a Bellevue mother was shot and killed during a crime spree last month.

Local choirs called Voices Against Violence gathered outside to remember 21 people who were slain this year in Seattle.

One of the victims was Gloria Leonidas, who was shot in Town Hall’s parking lot during a killing rampage that left six dead.

“We’ve just been traumatized by all the pain and suffering from the deaths in our community,” said Sue Hurley with the Seattle Peace Chorus.

Inside the Town Hall, Seattle Police Chief John Diaz pointed out that guns were used in all but two of the 21 killings, and most of the deaths were the result of ongoing arguments.

“We need to change the culture of people feeling that they can solve all their problems by using weapons,” said Diaz.

Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell suggested doing away with a state law that prevents cities from passing more restrictive gun regulations than the state dictates.  He also called for tougher penalties for teens that use guns.

“Our laws dealing with gun possession by youths is incredibly inadequate,” said Harrell.

Others said don't let government cut educational or social service programs that have proven effective in combating crime.

Some suggested people can help combat crime by simply getting to know their neighbors and participating in block watch programs.  That's the message Nikki Honey took home, along with a paper crane symbolizing peace.

“It should lead to some individual action, even if it’s just being nice to people,” said Honey.

Many people attending the panel discussion were realistic and said an issue as big as violence cannot be solved in a 90-minute conversation, but said it was a good start.

Earlier Monday, U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan announced that the city’s Project Safe Neighborhood program would be expanded.

Under the program, suspects in crimes involving guns are tried in federal, instead of state, court.

“We have seen it makes a difference on the street if people know that when they commit those crimes, they will be looking at federal time in federal prisons far from their homes,” said Durkan.

Durkan said that last year, 40 King County gun cases went to federal court.  That number could more than double with the expansion of the Project Safe Neighborhood program.

Durkan said she also plans to ask the state Legislature to the stiffen penalties for gun crimes.