Speaker: Education deters crime

After-school programs are important in keeping youth out of crime, Judge Mathis said.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

NILES — Quality education for all is the answer in solving economic problems and high crime, says a man who has gone from gang member to judge.

Judge Greg Mathis, who has his own syndicated television court show, was the keynote speaker Saturday at the 77th anniversary dinner of the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League at McMenamy’s.

About 450 people gathered to hear Judge Mathis stress the importance of education.

“It’s the No. 1 deterrent to crime,” the Detroit native said.

Judge Mathis said his run-in with the law as a youth has taught him that after-school programs such as sports are extremely important.

Petty crimes, he explained, occur between 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. This is the time youths need the most guidance, he added.

A retired Michigan district court judge, he has a number of relatives in the Youngstown-Warren area and has spent many summers here.

Those relatives, he said, have complained to him about police misconduct. They have told him the problem by a few officers is being addressed.

Judge Mathis is committed to helping troubled youth in and out of the courtroom.

In 1986, he and his wife co-founded Young Adults Asserting Themselves, a nonprofit agency that counsels youths about career and job opportunities, provides job training and offers school and job placement services.

Expansion goals

Dennis Yurco, Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League board chairman, said that since Youngstown no longer has its own organization, the Warren-Youngstown group will continue working to expand league programs.

Yurco said that an effort is being made to attract new league members and focus on the need for jobs and education, especially for young people.

Yurco of Howland pointed out that the organization has limited resources and must stay focused on meeting actual human needs.

He called attention to Christy House, a Warren homeless shelter sponsored by the league, that has increased demands being placed on it because of the decline in the area’s economy.

yovich@vindy.com