Strengthening Neighborhoods is the Solution to Reducing Youth Violence and Crime, Says Safe Kids Now

CEO of Safe Kids Now National Networks Says the Breakdown of the Family is at the Root of Most Juvenile Criminality

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / November 17, 2022 / The ‘Defund the Police' movement grew to a fever pitch following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Yet support for the movement has diminished significantly as cities across America have seen an increase in more violent crime, especially among the youth. A recent Pew Research poll found that support for reducing spending on the police had fallen significantly, from 25 percent in 2020 to just 15 percent in 2021. That poll also found a racial differential but no race with a majority in support.

And while it is true that violent crime and juvenile crime has decreased in the country since the 1990s and early 200s, economic hardships have increased in many major U.S. cities since the COVID-19 pandemic as well. Since 2019, armed robberies, assaults and burglaries involving juveniles have risen in cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans, Washington, D.C. since about 2019, with carjackings being the most prevalent. And in recent months, hundreds of teenagers - particularly teenage boys - have been impacted byviolent crime trends, often at the hands of other young adults.

Stephanie Mann, a crime and violence prevention expert and founder of Safe Kids Now National Network says when families feel alone and disconnected, it affects youth violence and gangs grow stronger. According to the National Gang Center, there are around 30,000 gangs in the U.S. and about 850,000 members.

"One of the reasons why millions of people are experiencing mental health problems is due, in part, to fear and social isolation," says Mann, co-author of Alternative to Fear: Guidelines to Safer Neighborhoods. "And as the public grows dependent, the police grow stronger and may abuse their power. And anger against police is caused by an imbalance when citizens feel powerless. Racism divides people, but that is not the real problem. The breakdown of the family and lack of community support is the issue."

According to criminology studies, the structure and stability of families has long stood as key predictors of juvenile delinquency. Boys from "broken homes" experience a higher prevalence of juvenile delinquency than those from intact families. As a county coordinator, Mann saw single parents struggling to work and raise children. "Some adults took drugs and became abusive," she says. "Social services removed children from their homes and fear and isolation ruled the neighborhoods."

Mann knew that connecting neighbors would create a safer place for everyone.

Safe Kids Now contends that individual involvement is the key to reducing youth crime, not more policing. "Citizens have been told to elect politicians and representatives to keep neighborhoods safe," Mann adds. "But crime is a community problem and can be solved by involving citizens, and Every city needs a plan to involve them when it comes to laws and decision-making."

According to Safe Kids Now, citizens can motivate other citizens to take back neighborhood safety. In high crime areas, "Neighborhood Safety Experts" who look like and speak the language of the community can be hired and trained to bring the community together to solve problems, clean up neighborhoods and restore neighborhood trust and support. "Involved neighbors put a check and balance on youthful behavior," Mann says. "Connected youth don't join gangs, steal or hurt other people. My mission is to empower families by getting citizens involved, making neighborhoods stronger, and making cities safer for everyone."

ABOUT SAFE KIDS NOW
Founded by Stephanie Mann, Safe Kids Now educates parents on how to keep their children, neighborhoods, and communities safe and healthy. They host an educational program on AAUmedia from New York with inspirational community leaders and activists. Safe Kids Now also offers workshops, books, pamphlets, guidelines, newsletters, articles, Tip-Toons, and videos on safety. To learn more, visit www.safekidsnow.com. For additional information, visit Safe Kids Now on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

CONTACT

Stephanie Mann
https://safekidsnow.com/contact/
(925) 451-3654

SOURCE: Safe Kids Now