WDEF News 12

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Gangs. Parents. Society. The economy. There's plenty of blame to go around for violence among our youth. But tonight we look at some solutions.

For Officer Michael Bolton, it's a sign of the times. As a part of the Chattanooga's crime suppression unit, it's his job to keep up with the signs and symbols of the city's gangs.

Officer Bolton, "We try to go above and beyond just what a child or young person is wearing. We don't call them gang members because they've got on one color or they're hanging out with a group of one color."

He says staying one step ahead of the gangs helps to prevent or solve some of the city's most violent crimes.

Officer Bolton, "It touches all walks of life It doesn't matter what neighborhood you live in if you look hard enough you'll find it anywhere."

Sociology professor Dr. Shela Van Ness says parents are the key to keeping kids going down the right path, but they need help.

Van Ness, "Today families cannot do it alone. They really need their churches or temples. They need to have neighborhood groups that will help one another.">

She says studies show neighborhoods with a sense of community produce successful nonviolent teenagers.

And she says free, fun activities also play an important role.. so does more living wage jobs in our neighborhoods. Van Ness, "When our neighborhoods become more mixed like that, then the children will have the role models that they need to feel motivated to join the rest of us in paying taxes and living stable lives in the community."

Role models like Joe Rowe.

Joe Rowe, " Your heart almost bleeds for them. You can't let anything happen to these kids. They're so valuable."

He gives his time working with East Chattanooga's teens through the Weed and Seed program.

Rowe, "We're trying to work on developing the full person. Where the schools leave off and where the parents leave off there's a huge gap there. We're just trying to bridge that gap so that we end up with a complete person at the end of this process."

Providing resources to raise up future leaders like Marcus Lee.

Marcus Lee, "I'd like to see the community be better on the economical side as well money wise and see a whole bunch of more kids off the streets."

East Chattanooga Weed and Seed teamed up with Chattanooga Rec Centers and other groups to make sure kids have plenty to do this summer.

And Cattanooga Poice is working on compiling a book of youth activities.

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