The number of youth violence has increased during the past few years. It is not only a community issue, but also a national concern. Incidents of youth violence are increasing, and the public is demanding effective solutions. The response from policy makers is to “get tough” or create “tough” measures, which include funding for law enforcements and increasing penalties for crimes committed by youths. The government has been getting tough for the past years, and it does not seem to be effective. I think the key to reducing youth violence lies within a young person’s life at home, school and the community.

These are the three key places a young person feels safe and secure. They are also the places that can be used to lock out dangers. First, the community and the schools need to come together to provide a nest of security. The community and schools have one purpose, which is to raise a child to the best of his/her ability. It seems like the community is blaming or shifting its responsibilities on the school, and the school is also doing vice versa. Communities that have significant youth violence share very little programs with its surrounding schools. This gives the surrounding neighbourhoods a chance to provide negative images of the inner-city life, which drives fear in the schools.

It is important to take the concrete steps needed to bring an end to violence. This requires creating an environment that brings security and stability. It also requires recognizing the needs of many students at schools, especially those that come from low-income families. Mentorship programs should be created between the school, and the community. This way many young people will have more positive influences in their lives. These mentorship programs will also help give the young ones a sense of direction in life. It will help them think more about their future, instead of turning to the streets.

In addition, they can also provide programs that take place in the evenings, and at weekends. Eventually, the gap between the school and the community will be bridged. This way the child’s life is already occupied with activities leaving little room for danger. With time, these initiatives will help transform the schools, and create a source of stability and security.

The next step would be to create alternatives for troubled youths. Drug dealers engage these “troubled youths”. There is an intense pressure for youths to participate in drug trafficking. They are lured into a life of quick money, and short life. This is where parents need to come together with the community, the police divisions, and schools to create a program for troubled youths. The program should be designed as an intervention service for these young ones. The police can identify them because they may have come in contact, parents know their troubled young ones, and the school counsellors also know the troubled ones by their performance at school. These selected troubled youths will be put into a modeled group who demonstrate positive behaviours. This way, they will slowly distance themselves from the dangers around them.

Furthermore, youth violence can also be reduced through programs by other youths involving respect. This program should be created in every community involving youths from every ethnic background. A program by the youths will help adapt new measures. It will give the community an insight into controlling the young ones without the use of coercion. This program will help the youths work with the police in reducing violence. This includes strict supervision of certain areas after late hours. It will also include discipline through compassion instead of intimidation. Creating a program by other youths involving respect will help the young ones “at risk” direct their negative energy into a positive one.

It is important for people to accept that youth violence is a symptom of a larger societal problem with violence. The young ones who live in low-income areas are more likely to be scapegoats for this problem. It is time for the community, the school and the parents to unlock opportunities for the youths. It is also about time everyone acknowledges their responsibility in creating a safer environment for the young ones; after all it does take a village to raise a child.