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Young People Share Frustrations Over Youth Violence At Town Hall Meeting

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh's police chief says he wants more input from young people about ways to cut down on violence in the city.

And he got an earful today at the town hall meeting.

"I'm disappointed in the fact that we came here today to talk about change and to talk about what we're going to do, but no one plan has been placed on the table, except for my brother's and what he is planning to do," said one attendee.

The frustration of hearing more proposals and plans as their neighbors and classmates continue to die sometimes boiled over into the session at CCAC, sponsored by Black Women for Positive Change.

But there were also voices of the young who, from their points of view, offered opinions about why teen violence happens so frequently.

"These kids are desensitized," said Amonte Eberhardt with Police Athletic League. "Video games, reality TV shows, all of it displays that violence is OK."

"A lot of people we look up to are into very negative things and behaviors," said Balijah Grant with Neighborhood Academy.

"In my opinion, the biggest cause of violence is neglect," said Jordan Welch with Case Western Graduate. "We've neglected out young people so much so that they're now forced to grow up sooner than they should be."
"There's just too much talk," said CCAC student Davonte Butler. "No one is actually trying to take the initiative. No one is really speaking to other kids."

In the end, the chief announced the formation of a Youth Advisory Committee and invited a specific age range of teenagers to sign up.

"Fourteen to 18, 19, something like that," said McLay. "The teenage group that often gets neglected in our discussions."

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