Greensboro officials are inviting teenagers and young adults to help shape the city’s approach to public safety and violence prevention during a Youth Town Hall scheduled for Wednesday, June 24.
The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Nussbaum Room at the Central Library at 219 N. Church St.
According to City of Greensboro leaders, the town hall is designed to give young people a chance to discuss issues affecting them and offer ideas for improving safety in the community.
“This event provides a safe space for youth across Greensboro to speak about issues that are important to them and share ideas for positive change, particularly around safety and violence prevention,” Community Safety Department Youth Engagement Director Jeremiah Jett said in a public statement.
Jett, who will facilitate the event, said the gathering will also allow teens and young adults to share their views directly with City leaders and community members.
The youth-led event will include open discussions on issues affecting young people, conversations about violence prevention strategies, opportunities to exchange ideas and solutions, and information about the ways in which youth can become involved in leadership roles and community initiatives.
The event is open to Greensboro residents ages 14 through 22.
The Youth Town Hall is being organized by the city’s Community Safety Department, which was created to address public safety issues through prevention efforts and intervention programs rather than relying solely on traditional law enforcement responses.
According to the city, the department works through community-based prevention initiatives, crisis intervention services aimed at de-escalating violence, and long-term case management for people dealing with challenges such as mental health issues, substance abuse and homelessness that frequently bring them into contact with law enforcement.
City officials said that they hope the town hall will provide insight into the concerns and priorities of Greensboro’s younger residents while giving them a direct voice in conversations about public safety.
With all the numerous silly department names Greensboro has dreamed up, is this article really to be taken seriously? Sounds like another fox guarding the hen house idea only Greensboro can imagine.
Good luck with that one
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– “Community Safety Department Youth Engagement Director”… from the City’s Community Safety Department.
Is this a joke?
Led by the social media poser 18 year old Jerimiah Jett.
In his own words: “Community violence isn’t about criminals, it’s about people,” Jett said. “Sometimes people using violence are afraid. Sometimes they need someone to talk to. Sometimes they need someone to confide in. If I can be that person who can stop that cycle before it begins, then I’m doing my job. I can be in the high schools, middle schools, and even colleges talking to the young adults and give them options other than violence.”
You can’t make this stuff up…
Soon to be lauded as an important voice for disenfranchised black youth.