Deterring teen crime during the summer - WPEC

The city of Riviera Beach and West Palm Beach are working to cut down on teen crime as we head into summer.

Riviera Beach Councilwoman Lynne Hubbard said the city started their summer youth employment program to help teens earn extra crash, and deter crime.

She said through the program 115 teenagers from Riviera Beach have already been placed in jobs this summer.

Thursday the city held a job fair where hundreds more kids showed up looking for work.

“We’ve got to shake them, and stop them, and tell them there’s something else for you to do with your life. If you’re going to be involved in crime you’re going to end your life before it begins,” Hubbard said.

Acting Assistant Chief of Police for Riviera Beach Leonard Mitchell agreed.

“We will not arrest our way out of these kinds of problems,” Mitchell said.

He said through their “Bridge the Gap” program they’re able to work with school students and assist them with decision making.

“Young folks often times make decisions without thinking,” Mitchell said. “Part of our programs are designed to engage them and to help them with their decision making.”

In West Palm Beach the city has hired 17 student interns from community high schools to work with the city departments this summer.

They also started “Teens Unite” a summer block party series to provide a safe space for teens to gather on eight consecutive Saturday nights throughout the summer.

Let's block ads! (Why?)