Council's safety panel hears ideas to stop rising violence in the city

Feuds between extended families, not gangs, are the root of many recent killings, one man said.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- It might be time again to sit down with warring factions in the city to stop some of the killing.
That's what council's safety committee heard Wednesday as members searched for ways the city can deal with a surge in homicides.
Nine of 2002's 11 homicides have come in the past five weeks. The city is facing 44 slayings for the year should that pace continue. The city has averaged about 30 homicides in each of the past few years.
"I don't know what to do," said Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, the committee chairman.
He brought several community activists together to talk about their ideas.
Role of churches: Churches are there to help, said the Rev. Willie F. Peterson, pastor of Gospel Temple Baptist Church in Campbell.
He has been involved with anti-violence initiatives for several years, including one that brokers truces between rival gangs.
The Rev. Mr. Peterson said he is starting an anti-violence organization in Youngstown now.
Sam DuBose, who retired from the Youngstown police in 1995, said it appears that fighting between factions in the city -- usually extended families, not street gangs -- is the root of many recent killings.
Mediation has worked: In the mid-1990s, he mediated an East Side feud between large extended families and the violence stopped.
The young people so often involved in homicides don't want to kill, DuBose said. But they have no way to resolve disputes and resort to fighting, he said.
Arbitration training is available in the city and it does prevent violence, said Andy Douglas, a South Side resident. Cecil Monroe, a North Side resident, said parents need to be brought into such discussions.
Economic empowerment also is a factor, said Al Curry, equal employment opportunity compliance officer for the city school system.
Richard Atkinson, R-3rd, said getting government, churches and community organizations to move in the same direction is the key.
"I think we all understand the problem," he said.
Pool hall owner: The committee also heard from Mike Martin, who owns Mahoning Valley Billiards, a 19-table pool hall on Mahoning Avenue.
He asked council to revisit 50-year-old laws on pool halls in the city and consider changing them.
In particular, he would like to be open later than midnight, which isn't allowed now.
Committee members said they would consider the move.
rgsmith@vindy.com