Addressing Youth Violence: A Comprehensive Approach

Strategic Insights -

As part of a public-safety conversation initiated by the Obama administration, the Department of Justice has taken a proactive approach to address the urgent problem of youth violence. This effort, which includes a law-enforcement summit and a White House gang-prevention conference, aims to engage educators, parents, students, and experts in finding effective solutions. The administration is committed to a comprehensive, coordinated approach that incorporates the latest research and innovative strategies, while addressing the need for prevention, intervention, and targeted enforcement. Community-based crime-prevention programs such as CeaseFire and Project Safe Neighborhoods are being supported with $24 million in next year's budget.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Obama administration has initiated a public-safety conversation to address the issue of youth violence, involving educators, parents, students, and experts in finding effective solutions.
  • The Department of Justice is committed to a comprehensive, coordinated approach that encompasses the latest research and innovative strategies.
  • Community-based crime-prevention programs such as CeaseFire and Project Safe Neighborhoods are being supported with $24 million in next year's budget.
  • The Office of Justice Programs is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide support and assistance to communities affected by violence.
  • The Department of Justice has committed resources to helping keep children and schools safe, including $16 million in grants to law-enforcement agencies and municipalities, including almost half a million dollars to the city of Chicago.
  • A combination of prevention, intervention, and targeted enforcement is necessary to address the issue of youth violence.
  • Every citizen has to be a part of the solution to address the issue of youth violence.

Statistics:

  • $24 million in next year's budget is being allocated for community-based crime-prevention programs such as CeaseFire and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
  • $16 million in grants have been provided to law-enforcement agencies and municipalities by the Department of Justice.
  • Almost half a million dollars has been awarded to the city of Chicago as part of the COPS Secure Our Schools program.

Sources:

  • Federal News Service, Inc. Transcript, 2009.