BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jim Lorigo, 83, opened Lorigo's Meating Place on Grant Street back in 1986. He's seen this area through ups...

"We have since seen a regrowth. The storefronts are all being opened up, there's new businesses coming in and people are coming back to Grant Street," said Lorigo.

...and downs.

"We have an issue with prostitution and sometimes drug dealing," said Lorigo.

Now, following a recent spike in crimes in the neighborhood, business owners are reaching out to one of the city's best known anti-crime and violence groups for help.

“The business owners on Grant Street have been having conversations with the Peacemakers and they'd really like them to come in," State Assemblyman Sean Ryan said.

Ryan, whose district office is on Grant Street, hosted a meeting between business owners and Buffalo Peacemakers Thursday. Ryan says Peacemakers, who do most of their work on the city's East Side, have a proven track record of making a difference.

"The Peacemakers have this great ability to really work within the community, and what we want them to do is prevent violence from before it happens," said Ryan. 

"Our presence there, it's not like we have the same impact as law enforcement, because we are community, we're part of the community. So, it's one community resident talking to another community resident that may have more seedier intentions," said Giles.

But coming to the West Side won't be without its challenges. The biggest hurdle they face could be this area's cultural diversity.

"We certainly are sensitive to the cultural diversity over here. So, when we look for individuals to come and volunteer as Peacemakers, we want to make sure that they are engaging  in the community in ways that the community understands. So, we will be looking for a very diverse group of individuals to work with us," Giles said.

Giles and Ryan say they'll be recruiting volunteers from the community to act as Peacemakers. Once those people are up to speed, they could be on the streets as early as this summer.