Onondaga County Legislator is Looking to Put an End to Youth Gang Violence Gang Activities Involving Youth are Increasing in Onondaga County

CHILDREN’S SAFETY IN ONONDAGA COUNTY IS A HIGH PRIORITY AS GANG VIOLENCE INCREASES
N-C-C NEWS REPORTER ALEXIS RALEIGH TELLS US HOW ONONDAGA LEGISLATOR VERNON WILLIAMS JR. IS COMBATING GANG VIOLENCE.

WITHIN THE PAST YEAR ONONDAGA COUNTY HAS SEEN A 15% INCREASE IN CHILD GANG VIOLENCE AND A 55% INCREASE IN HOMICIDE RATES IN SYRACUSE.

WILLIAM SAYS HE IS TAKING ACTION TO HELP STOP THE CYCLE OF HEREDITARY GANG VIOLENCE IN FAMILIES.

HE SAYS THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE YOUNGER GENERATION IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY TAKE ON THE MATTER.

“You know kids most of them are followers, they’ll follow the crowd, so you need to turn that narrative around and say it’s cool to pick up a book and go to school, you know just chill out with your friends and have fun in the right manner.”

WILLIAMS TAKES THIS TO HEART AS HE WAS EXPOSED AND FORCED INTO GANG VIOLENCE AT A YOUNG AGE.

WILLIAM BELIEVES THAT THE KIDS NEED TO BE REDIRECTED TOWARDS OTHER ACTIVITIES TO AVOID THE OVERALL GANG TEMPTATION.

“You know one of the things is having a mentor. mentors that you know care for the kids in the neighborhood, talking to them, counseling them, giving them advice guiding them in the right way.”

EVEN THOUGH WILLIAMS IS TAKING ON THE SITUATION HIMSELF, HE SAYS HE WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO END CRIME AND GANG ACTIVITIES IN ONONDAGA COUNTY.

ALEXIS RALEIGH…, N-C-C News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS)- As overall crime in Syracuse decreases, Onondaga County sees a 15% increase in gang violence among children.

Onondaga County Legislator Vernon Williams Jr. who represents district 16, is now creating a plan to help kids resist gang violence and criminal activities. William says many kids are forced to join a gang at a young age, making it more difficult to avoid.

William says he grew up surrounded by the peer pressure to join gangs. Because of the atmosphere he was in and understands why children feel they need to be a part of it.

William believes that the right guidance and teaching could help kids make better decisions.

“You know one of the things is having a mentor,” Williams said. “Mentors that you know care for the kids in the neighborhood, talking to them, counseling them, giving them advice guiding them in the right way.”

William believes that teaching kids at an adolescent age to shy away from criminal actives is key. William says that he is aware that gang related activities are usually hereditary and get passed down from generation. This makes it easy for children.

Although, William says that the current generation is tricky and social media has a big influence on how kids act today. He says children will do anything that is considered cool, even joining a gang.

“You know kids most of them are followers, they’ll follow the crowd, so you need to turn that narrative around and say it’s cool to pick up a book and go to school, you know just chill out with your friends and have fun in the right manner,” Williams said.

Williams says he will continue to do whatever it takes to take back his neighborhood and create a safe environment for those who live in it.

Related Articles