Black Men’s Leadership Group Discusses Solutions to Violence
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A violent holiday weekend in Montgomery leaves many community members concerned about today’s youth.
Wednesday night city and county leaders and law enforcement gathered to help come up with some solutions.
“It has come to be a concern that something has to be done. And my interest is whatever input I can put in in order to help facilitate the violence to stop then I’m willing to put that energy in,” said concerned citizen Charles Dillihay.
Many other men came to the Connecting Life Center with the same intentions.
“We, as a neighborhood, have to stop turning a blind eye to what’s going on,” said one concerned citizen.
That’s why they are calling on the police chief and sheriff, as well as others to help them direct the youth.
“As men, we need to reach out and pull the kids out of the streets. So my initiative is come out today with city leaders and bring them out of the streets,” said Quartez Harris, Athletic Director at the Connecting Life Center.
The men discussed programs, acitivites, and curfews as well as older men taking leadership roles in their families and community.
But whatever the plan, they agree that something needs to be done because, right now, doing nothing doesn’t seem to be working.
“We want to see more young men get involved in something constructive. Not working, not going to school, is a just a formula for disaster and that’s what I think is coming to fruition at this point,” said Dillihay.
The women’s group will meet Thursday night to discuss the same issues.
