Post signs, talk about it, invite people personally, anything that will get people coming. One method of getting the word around is to have an awareness event such as a community sports day, a picnic, or a street stall and display. Inviting people to participate in the meeting also helps to spread the news and to get people coming. Ask them to sign up as a volunteer, to bring some snacks for the break, serve the refreshments, set up chairs, clean up the meeting area or any other task. This allows people time to think about what they want to say and to talk among themselves about it.
People enjoy feeling needed.
Let them know that this is their meeting and that everyone belongs here. Hold the meeting We are trying to gather information directly from those who are experiencing the need for change. Let them speak. Politely make it clear to outsider speakers that their comments are welcome, but that they must not attempt to run the meeting. This is a community meeting on crime prevention.