“We can save our youth from violent crime, and this is how we can do it.”
That was the confident message conveyed during a town hall forum held this week at Eastern Star Church.
Hundreds of local residents gathered for the forum, which was organized by members of the Indianapolis City-County Council in an effort to find effective ways to reduce violent crime among youth.
“This forum was a great opportunity for us to come together and have a real dialogue about crime among our youth,” said City-Council President Maggie Lewis. “Often, people come to discussions with their own agenda and focus, but tonight was an example of us leaving our own agendas at the door to focus on what’s important.”
Included in the forum was a special panel of elected officials, leading law enforcement officers and community leaders. Public Safety Director Troy Riggs; Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Rick Hite; Marion County Sheriff John Layton; Commander Karen Arnett of IMPD’s downtown district; Marion County Juvenile Court Judge Marilyn Moores; and three council members were among familiar faces on the panel.
What made this forum different, however, was that the leaders listened, and the talking was done by residents, who were invited to come up front and share their thoughts.
What also distinguished the meeting was its emphasis on solutions over mere rhetoric or complaints about problems everyone already knows exist.
“We are here tonight to talk about solutions,” said moderator Amos Brown, host of WTLC-AM’s “Afternoons With Amos” and director of strategic research for Radio One.
Residents had a lot to say, and plenty of ideas.
Ron Brewer, a chaplain for local inmates with Community Corrections of Marion County, suggested that some youth would be less likely to break certain laws if someone taught them about the laws and were made aware of their legal consequences.
“Why don’t they teach the laws in school, so that they know what they’re up against?” Brewer asked. “No one knows the law but the law.”
Nancy Lacy, a Martindale Brightwood resident who came to the forum, encouraged parents to take a more active role in the schools their children attend, since that is where much of their time is spent and they are most influenced by peers.
“Our schools have a lot to do with our kids and how they’re being treated,” Lacy said. “Many of us are in a school system more concerned about whether the kids are wearing a belt or having their shirt tucked in than if they have a book in their hand. We have to make sure the right priorities are being emphasized.”
Pierre Cobbs said more activities need to be provided for youth in the city, and that existing ones should be promoted through sources frequently viewed by youth. He also encouraged more arts programs to help develop talents that can keep youth out of trouble.
“These kids need an outlet, and an identity. They don’t know who they are and don’t know how to vent except through violence,” said Cobbs, who came with his 7-year-old son, King. “If you give them something to work with, they will work with it. We need more arts programs here because there’s so much talent here, and nobody’s coming to get them. These kids need a chance to make it.”
Since the event was held for them, teens and young adults were encouraged to move to the front of the line and share what was on their mind.
Shane Evans, 20, said churches, community organizations and parks offer plenty of opportunities for teens and young adults to have fun. They might not, however, have a way to get to them.
“It would be much easier if we could get the resources to fund transportation to get kids to those activities,” said Evans. “We have the answers in our face in terms of where the young people can go, we just need to get them there.”
DeAndre Sanders, 21, said he noticed growing up that most youth, especially young men, who commit crimes do not enjoy stealing or hurting people. They are trying to make money to do things like take their girlfriends out, and can’t get work.
“What we need is more jobs,” he said. “You will see crime go down once that happens.”
Judge Moores ignited applause, laughter and nods of agreement from the audience when she responded to a question about parents who refrain from disciplining their children due to fear of being charged with abuse.
“You are entitled to physically discipline your child,” Moores said. “Don’t let them tell you you can’t. In my mind, they ought to bring (corporal punishment) back in school.”
IMPD Chief Rick Hite cited various statistics that shed light on the city’s crime scenario. He noted that 24 percent of those who commit violent crimes had a prior gun arrest and 48 percent had used unlicensed guns, meaning that many illegal guns are still on the streets. He added that crime is heavily concentrated in zip codes with high unemployment, including 46218, 46201, 46205 and 46222.
“Family connections are important,” Hite said. “Young people need to feel a connection, and if they don’t get it at home, they might get it from a gang or out in the streets. They create their own street cred, image and identity so they can say, ‘I am somebody.’”
U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett, the top federal prosecutor for the Indianapolis area, said more focus should be placed on reducing barriers to higher education.
“In some ways, it is easier for a child in 46218 to get a gun than an education,” Hogsett said.
He added that a holistic approach is needed to reduce crime among youth.
“Tonight people talked about different ways of bringing about peace that are not necessarily what you would define as criminal justice,” he said. “For example, education, economic empowerment and jobs, health care, all of these things, their totality, make for an initiative designed to help keep our neighborhoods safe.”
This week’s forum came not long after a rise in violence involving teenagers and young adults, including shootings at two local malls.
Recently, the Ten Point Coalition, a faith based crime prevention group, called for Simon Property Group, the owner of several local malls, to impose a curfew and chaperone policy at Circle Centre mall. On Friday and Saturday nights from 5 p.m. until the mall closes at 9 p.m., the plan would require anyone under 17-years-old to have a chaperone who is 21 or older.
The group also wants a citywide curfew for under-17s on weekends.
Many say those who could not or did not attend Tuesday’s meeting missed an opportunity to help reclaim the future for the youth of Indianapolis.
Fortunately, City-County Council President Lewis noted that another forum will be held soon at a location on the Westside of the city.
“In the beginning and in the end, it is the family,” said Robert Jackson, 86, a retired police officer, Presbyterian elder and member of the Concerned Clergy. “It’s about staying together, helping each other and loving each other.”
Possible solutions
Here are some possible solutions to end violence among youth mentioned during this week’s town hall forum at Eastern Star Church:
– More jobs for teens and young adults.
– Greater awareness of positive activities.
– Improved access (transportation) to positive activities.
– More programs that are appealing and fun.
– Stronger family unity and support for youth.
– Instilling spirituality and values.
– Safeguarding mental health of children.
– More parental involvement in schools.
– Helping children find and refine their talents.
– Modify gun laws.
– Using grants/donations to turn empty buildings into youth centers.
– Reinstatement of under-21 clubs with improved safety.
