CIRV students present violence prevention plans

Staff report

youngstown

Bullying, whether it’s physical, emotional or online, is a school problem that Youngstown students are tackling together.

Students from the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence program presented ideas to reduce school violence to Mayor John A. McNally and Police Chief Robin Lees at city hall Tuesday afternoon.

Students from Youngstown City Schools, Youngstown Christian School, Summit Academy, and Academy of Urban Scholars developed their plans to implement violence-prevention programs during a conference in October, Guy Burney, CIRV coordinator, said.

CIRV is a partnership of law enforcement, social-service agencies and the community to offer individuals a circle of support enabling them to choose a nonviolent path in life.

Lees said that though there were the same number of murders so far this year as last year at this time, not as many were linked to gang activities.

Each school presented its violence- prevention ideas, including hosting events such as a Christmas party for freshmen or something as simple as having students place concerns in a prayer box.

“We need outlets,” McNally said, adding that Tuesday’s gathering was a great opportunity for students to meet with city leaders and that their ideas were important to tackling school violence issues.

He also said the CIRV program is tackling the issue of violence in the community in various ways and plans to expand the program for adults coming out of prison who are in need of reconnecting with society.

“We’re all in this together,” he said.