by Jazmine Otey
“You’re all very important… and here today because you care about our community,” opened Vice-Mayor Anita Price who addressed a sizable and diverse group of Roanoke residents at the ‘Save Our Youth’ function held Tuesday, July 19 at Williams Memorial Baptist Church in northwest.
The gathering also included Mayor Sherman Lea, Chief of Police Tim Jones and other law officials who lead productive and positive dialogue centered on many issues pertaining to gun violence along with ways to promote gun safety concerning our youth.
Informative greetings were extended from host church pastor Rev. David Jones, Estelle McCadden, NNEO organizer; Vice Mayor Anita Price and Travis Aiken of RCPS Criminal Division. McCadden used the phrase ‘what’s on your mind matters’ to cultivate the many questions and concerns raised by the many who attended. Her only goal for the night she said, was to “produce a band-aid to cover the wounds-wounds being gun violence.”
The audience was divided into three groups based on age: 12 and under, 13-18 and 19 and up. The session provided an opportunity for those in attendance to connect not only with others who may share the same concerns, but also openly voice many critical issues with RCPD facilitators.
Those in the younger groups discussed the importance of staying away from guns and also touched on awareness of the conflict and misunderstanding an artificial or “play gun” can cause.
Both youth groups received handouts that illustrated many key points regarding guns, such as ways to de-escalate conflicts when problems arise, avoiding violence and encouraging responsibility among adults that may own a gun.
Police Department facilitators also encouraged older group members, ages 13 and older to have a mentor–expressing the idea that such advisors can be helpful through many situations adolescents often face.
The adult sessions took a more serious tone as attendees, many of whom were parents and guardians, took charge in discussing the safety of their children in regard to gun violence.
“When we talk about de-escalation we talk about lowering the emotional energy of our youth and understanding a different perspective than our own,” Officer Aiken stated, clarifying the sole purpose of the “Save the Youth” function. He also highlighted key issues as “being cautious about guns in homes with children.” Additionally Akien touched on “haphazard gun storing,” and reported that 88 firearms had been stolen within the last 6 months alone.
One exchange involved a statement by Roanoke attorney Ray Ferris who claimed that men often don’t mature until their late twenties. Hence a group member asked why then are so many Black males being sent to jail at ages 18–25.
Ferris offered a thorough explanation of mandatory laws, explaining that the maturity of a defendant is not a factor if they are found guilty under the possession of guns or drugs.
Another member of the group questioned police de-escalation training and whether or not there is training for situations when officers are a part of the conflict.
In response, Chief Jones referred to the 21st century policing report commissioned by President Obama, explaining that the report contained “pillar laws” that police enforcement use as a model, including de-escalation training, critical incident training, transparency, etc. in order to diminish such conflict.
Concluding the Save Our Youth function, McCadden encouraged those with unanswered questions to submit them in writing with the assurance that they would be discussed at the next meeting scheduled for Fall.
“Many have stated that the greatest battlefield is our own mind, we can’t run from our thoughts. Changing your mind isn’t always easy, but (in some cases) it is necessary,” said McCadden with a message that closed this most informative community forum.
