Ashley Rowland Professor Lago College Writing 1100 11 November 2013 Violence in the youth of my community Im afraid to leave

my house at night because the violence in my community. It has increased tremendously over the years. On behalf of my whole town something has to be done. The violence in my community is tearing apart my generation, and its affecting everyone, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. I have lost several friends and relatives in the past two years due to the gunfire. I am ashamed that I have to speak about my hometown like this, but its the absolute truth. Paterson was ranked the number 8 worst city to live in the United States due to unemployment and crime rate. According to area vibes, a website that catalogs pros and cons of various cities, the number of violent crimes in Paterson is 77% higher than the New Jersey average. One out of every 94 people in Paterson will be a victim of violent crime. (Areavibes, Top 10 worst cities to live in America, (2013)(Web) If the criminal justice system of New Jersey learns how to work with the community the violence can be prevented. We all have to work together in order to enhance change throughout the dangerous streets of Paterson. Firstly, I recommend the guardians and family members in the community to discipline and actually raise and be a part of their childs lives. They need to show their young adults stability. Several parents in Paterson tolerate the behavior of their violent kids because they have no idea what to do, afraid their child will attack them, or believe its okay for their child defend

themselves . They do not teach their kids how to go to an adult before the problem escalates; as a result children believe violence is normal. Parents should try to inform the police of what they know is going on in their neighborhood. I know parents that accept their child is a hoodlum or gangster. They actually allow their children to have gang meetings at their home. Furthermore, parents allow their child to keep their stash or drug supply in their homes. Parents should make the police aware of these meetings and trafficking events, so they wont be held anymore. Im positive that at the meetings is where the criminals and the young naive adolescents create master plans to commit horrific crimes. Parents shouldnt allow their child to hang out with people who are bad influences. They should be on top of their child, check their room, clothing pockets, listen to their conversations. For parents who are still providing for their young teen its okay to be in their business. Their childs business is technically the parents business. If those alternatives will come into effect I know there will be difference in my town. I understand that no parent wants to see their child behind bars, but its better than death. . Secondly, the youth community, students, adolescents, teenagers all as one should actually try to make an impact to stop the violence. The majority don't speak out because they are afraid of the consequences. A common phrase is "Snitches get stitches. In the streets of Paterson you can get tremendously hurt if the wrong person finds out you spoke with the cops. In addition you can lose several friends because supposedly no one likes people who talk to the cops. Several young Paterson citizens will know exactly what happened and all the details the night of a homicide, robbery, etc. and wont say anything. The police have to find a way to communicate with the youth because they will be able find out a lot more and prevent unnecessary violence. The police have to work with the Paterson community not against us. In

my perspective, police officers from my town tend to judge us on the way we talk, where we live, our nationality, our family history, etc. And that is what provokes many teenagers from Paterson to work against the cops because they are aware they are being criticized in a negative way and feel uncomfortable. In addition, the police have to gain the youth community trust. They have to find out a way to reach out to us and let us know they are here to protect us, and its okay to call them if we feel we are in danger. Many people in my town feel as though the police do not care anymore. There has been an enormous amount of times that I witnessed people call the cops, and the police arrive too late. So because of the absence of police presence, people who live in a violent community have no choice but to take matters in their own hands in order to protect themselves. I wonder if the cops dont care because crimes in my town are a normal thing or if there are just not enough cops to prevent or investigate violent crimes. According to the Associated Press Patersons city council has voted on a resolution calling on Gov. Christie to declare state of emergency to deal with the crime in Paterson. They were hoping to receive more money for police officers and social programs. Shockingly, the governor of New Jersey actually denied it. He had told the council that Paterson will not receive any more money until the city is managed better. (The Associated Press, Gov. Christie says Paterson mismanages money wont get extra state aid to help with Crime, Star Ledger 25 September 2012). Maybe there are just not enough cops. Paterson has gone through over onehundred shooting in the last year, because 125 police officers were laid off. Furthermore the teenagers have to see each other as one. I have several associates that are affiliated. In the streets of Paterson that is the norm and everyone is usually from a particular territorial section. Thats just the way it goes. My youth community needs to stop separating

themselves from one another. The different well known territorial sections in Paterson are "Up top, "Down the hill, "East side , "West side," South P . We are all one and should stick together not fight amongst each other. We are all from the same town just different areas, we should stick together, work together, to make our home town a better place for us and our loved ones. Thirdly, the board of education should also serve as a helping hand. When I used to cheer for Eastside and then Kennedy High School, the cops would be present everywhere after dismissal. They were always present because there were always fights after school. That helped a lot because Paterson public high schools are dangerous. Especially if you dont know anyone, a freshman or transfer can be in big trouble. The police would be visible everywhere which gave the students less of an opportunity to cause trouble or participate in altercations. When I was in high school I noticed that the arguments always started in school. If the two people were in gangs or a certain group that will allow others to get involved. The motto a lot of teenagers live by in my town is basically I dont befriend my friends enemies. Usually that was how it became group versus group, instead one on one. In addition the board of education should create after school programs for teenagers, not only grammar school kids. Most teenagers in my town have too much time on their hands .I definitely believe if there was like a free gym, or sports center , social group events for the teenagers in school, the youth in my community will be too occupied to associate them with crime. In Philadelphia, P.A, the town has come up with violence protection programs. The programs are supposed to target gang violence, black on black crime, teenage violence. They will give presentations in school and after school for the young adolescents. (Regan, Mary Elana, Bsn, Rn., Implementation and Evaluation of a Youth

Violence Prevention Program for Adolescents, The School of Nursing 25.1 (2009).That is a great idea; Paterson board of education should do something like this for our community. Over all , If the criminal justice system , the youth community , and the board of education of the Paterson community work together to prevent crime and violence change will enhance due to effort . However, it may cause a lot of money and time but it has to be done. The alternatives I mentioned may take a lot of effort but it is necessary in order for my town to have a better environment. If something does not happen immediately the rates of innocent people being effected will increase. Soon or later the youth of my community will not be here. Due to homicides and incarceration and my generation will be totally wiped out . In order for this generation to survive something has to be done. Even if the Criminal Justice System and The Board of Education puts an effort if the community itself does not serve as a helping hand all will still be lost.

Work Cited (Top 10 worst cities, Top 10 worst cities to live in America, areavibes.com. Web. (1, November,2013) (The Associated Press, Gov. Christie says Paterson mismanages money wont get extra state aid to help with Crime, Star Ledger. Web (4, November,2013) (Regan, Mary Elana, Bsn, Rn., Implementation and Evaluation of a Youth Violence Prevention Program for Adolescents, The School of Nursing 25.1, ProQuest Central from William Paterson Chang Library (6, November, 2013)