A vigil was held New Year's Day to remember the victims of unsolved murders.

Bridgeport resident April Barron brought together people from across the community Monday to honor the victims and offer hope that justice will be served in 2018 for each and every one of them.

Barron organized the vigil in memory of her son, 27-year-old Iroquois Alston, who was found shot to death in 2011.

Dawn Spearman, of the organization You Are Not Alone, provides aid to victims like Barron, but she says they are in need of more support.

"We don't work through the state of Connecticut, or the city," says Spearman. "We work by ear, phone call, contact. You reach out to us, we're right there."

Those who attended say they want to put the spotlight on all of the open homicide investigations in Bridgeport and surrounding communities, as well as on the cases which have grown cold.

Attendees also said they hope Bridgeport will turn to peace and togetherness in the new year, rather than resorting to violence. They say public pressure is a major motivator for police, who are overburdened by the backlog of criminal investigations.