Brandishing signs that read “More Programs – Less Lock-Up," more than 250 youth attended a City Hall hearing today and put forth their plan for reducing violence and creating peace in the city.

The youth called for more funding for youth jobs, teen programs and better relationships with the police. The Boston City Council’s Special Committee on Youth Violent Crime Prevention convened the hearing at the request of youth leaders with the United Youth and Youth Workers Alliance of Boston.

Participants testified on the need for youth to speak for themselves on solutions to the violence issue. Recently, Mayor Menino has turned to the clergy and police for support and ideas, but has yet to engage youth directly.

“The increases in violence affect us the most, but no one has asked us for any input," said Amilton Pires, a 17 year old youth organizer with Alternatives for Community & Environment. “The clergy and the police are only hitting the tip of the iceberg. Mayor Menino and other city officials have really listen to youth in the city and understand that the roots of youth violence are much deeper than just the guns and stop snitching t-shirts."

Youth chastised city leaders and clergy for not addressing the true issues of violence. To date, their proposed solutions have included hiring more police officers, more funding for witness programs, and training more church-based volunteers as outreach workers.

“Stop talking to elected officials and clergy and start talking to the youth," said Donsha Cureton, another youth organizer with Alternatives for Community & Environment. “Taking guns off the street is not the problem – getting youth off the streets is," she continued.

“We are paying far too much attention to the minority of youth who are causing the violence, while ignoring the vast majority who are trying to do something positive with their lives," said Marléna Rose, Youth Coordinator at Alternatives for Community & Environment.

While youth supported the Mayor’s recent solutions as important components, they claim the overall strategy to reduce violence must include more investment in youth through increases in funding for youth jobs programs and teen programs. Public investment in youth development over the last decade has decreased significantly. Currently the State spends only $5 –6 million on school to work programs while spending more than three times as much ($18 – 20 million) on pre-trial detention. In 2000 (FY 2001), the City of Boston dedicated $8.61 million for 5,572 summer jobs through the Boston Youth Fund (BYF). By 2004, that level had dropped to just $3.6 million and only 2,556 jobs.

Because of pressure from youth and youth workers, there was a small increase in 2005 to $4.5 million and 3,065 jobs. However, more than 6,400 applied for the jobs leaving more than 3,300 youth who wanted to work jobless. “The biggest thing that hurts me is when young people are trying to do something and there is no resources to support what they are doing," said Mariama White-Hammond, Director of Project Hip Hop, a youth organization based in Dudley Square in Roxbury.

In addition to increases in funding for youth programs, those testifying also called for better relationships between police and youth. Many youth told stories of being harassed and targeted by police because of the color of their skin or the way they dress. Specifically, testifiers at the hearing called for quarterly youth forums with police that include opportunities for youth to help with cultural competency and role reversals.

“Most Youth view police as adults who take there jobs too serious and are put on this earth just to bother and harass us," said Carlos Moreno, a youth organizer with Alternatives for Community & Environment. “Most Police view youth as troublemakers who are up to no good. Since both sides view each other in negative ways, don’t you think that it is about time that youth and police both sat down, put their differences aside and talk to each other?" he continued.

Youth working with Alternatives for Community & Environment and the United Youth and Youth Workers of Boston will continue to organize for more investment in youth programs. Their next meeting is March 15th at 4:30 at 2181 Washington Street in Roxbury.