LARGO, Md. — Prince George's County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins is teaming up with anti-violence advocates to bring in a strategy to the county that he hopes will address the rise in youth crime.
"Stop the violence in our community," Hawkins told the full house that gathered during Monday morning's news conference at the Wayne K. Curry County Administration Building in Largo.
Hawkins has tapped the CEO of the nonprofit organization Young Mindz Inc., Dominic Henry, to carry out the effort in Prince George's County.
"This is like the pilot," Henry told WUSA9. He says he hopes to expand his program which he started in the prison system, to other areas in the region like Baltimore.
Similar to other anti-violence programs, the initiative focuses on mentorship and life skills training however Hawkins says what sets Young Mindz Inc. apart is the approach to reaching kids and teens.
"We are putting the young people out front. The older guys, what they call the OGs understand they're not connecting with the young guys out in the street, but their peers are. So we are mentoring the peers so they can be the voice in the community," Hawkins told WUSA9.
Hawkins says he wants the program up and running by July 1 to coincide with the summer break which is also the period in which crime tends to increase.
The announcement follows Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz's testimony in front of the council where he broke down last year's youth crime numbers. According to the police data, last year in the county 147 juveniles were arrested for carjacking and 97 for possession of a firearm.
Prince George's County Sheriff John Carr attended the news conference and echoed the urgency of the program telling the crowd, "Coming from the law enforcement perspective, we are hurting, we are hurting."
Hawkins says he is taking aim at the issue, despite the fact that he has faced skepticism from some who believe that as a formerly incarcerated man, he should not be focusing on crime. "If not me, then who?" he added.
Justice Scott, 19, says he was recruited by Henry a year ago.
"I was in high school just a year ago. I see the programs; I see how they talk to kids. They're trying but they can't reach them."
Scott says the financial literacy classes have provided him insight to build generational wealth but also are skills he can pass on to younger members.
"You're learning about finances. You're learning how to save money. How to put money into the proper investments. Have your life insurance set up, stuff like that," he added.
For now. this anti-violence pilot program will be funded by private donations. During the news conference, several small business owners announced donations for the program. However, Councilmember Hawkins says he's exploring legislation to appropriate government funds to keep the strategy afloat in the long run.
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