“Too many lives are being lost; too many victims injured, and too many communities are being held hostage to this systemic and endemic tide of violence.  As a government, and as a community, we must begin to offer proactive, rather than reactive, alternatives.”-Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr., MS

 

 

The Washington Post (7/11/06) reported in the Metro’s District Briefing: “Teen Dies of Wounds From Shooting in SW.”  Such brief notes are an every-day report.  On July 12th  the Post reported that Chief Ramsey has declared a crime emergency (page 1) and Courtland Milloy’s same day Metro section article on the rate of arrests and violence among juveniles gave us more bad news.  Sometimes these tragic teen deaths make page one as did the Virginia youth, suffering from mental illness who killed two police officers in a psychotic rampage.  Feature stories of mothers, siblings and friends, causalities left behind, many to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition usually associated with the stress of the Iraq war, terrorism or natural disasters but equally resulting from the personal experience of violence in our communities. 

 

In conjunction with the District of Columbia’s Department of Public Health, we have compiled a survey addressing issues of homicide and violence to show its impact on our youth in Washington DC and Prince George’s County.  Students surveyed from 5th to 12th grades are being synthesized by DCDOH show that 80% of those surveyed report a family member or friend victim of gun violence; and, further, the same number regularly hear gunshots in their community.   Yet when surveyed about services to deal with the psychological impact of this trauma, less than 20% have received any services or had a discussion with a mental health professional or even a member of the clergy. 

 

These same children share a cynical attitude, believing that adults, including the police, will not protect them from this violence.  Feeling unprotected, they state they will not “snitch” or share information they know about a murderer they may have heard about or witnessed.  Likewise, few teens are willing to tell an adult when a friend is stressed out and may be contemplating suicide, unless they have a trusted adult who will respond with help.  They, too frequently, don’t have this trusted adult contact.  They have few adult models who teach them to step in and save lives. 

 

Being aware of the tragic realities of violence doe little and holding rallies, marches or making speeches may only continue the cynicism unless remedies become realities.  Our children tell us they want real help. 

 

Sadly, we know what to do but don’t do it.  Some solutions are global and require better access to quality education.  Education reduces violence.  For all, including African American males, high school graduation reduces violence.  According to a Columbia University report on the social costs of inadequate education, increasing male graduation rates by 10% would save $14 billion in the cost of crime and reduce murder rates.  Research also shows that schools that teach children problem solving and good behavior skills, and to “stop-and-think” reduces school behavior problems and later delinquency.  Positive preschooling also reduces delinquency and increases chances of graduating.  These require resources, quality management and instructional leadership. 

 

We also know that youth access to firearms makes the combination of homicide and suicide a leading cause of death for teenage males.  For African American male youth it gun violence is the leading cause of death.  Reducing youth access to firearms, particularly youth who suffer from impulsivity, depression, PTSD, and other mental health and substance abuse problems. Remove firearms from your homes and get help for your children with problems.  If you believe your child’s friends have firearms protect your child from them by restricting access to those friends.  If you don’t have control over your teenager, get help before he or she becomes part of the violence.   

 

“Snitching” can save lives.  Snitching shows concern about your community.  It is common for a person to tell friends that he or she is going to commit a violent act.  Someone knows and that someone may be your child.  Friends don’t keep secrets that can cause death and we as adults must push this social rule.  When persons in a community ravaged by violence share what they have witnessed they save lives.  Communities that confront violence will have safer children. 

 

Policing must be equally aggressive in South East as it is in Georgetown where murderers are quickly identified and arrested.   Too many black males die seemingly by mystical murderers.    More youth and adults will come forward with information if they feel safe in doing so and when the police ensure their safety and respect them.  Snitching is a social responsibility that will make communities safer. 

 

Mental health services must be accessible.  They should be in every school and available to every family throughout the year.  Depression and PTSD are very common in urban teenage males and shows as behavior problems.  These youth need multi-system therapy, not loose probation.  Unsupervised they are time-bombs for substance abuse, crime and suicide.  Employed, youth are contributing to communities. 

 

We as communities must provide the resources to improve graduation rates, teach the youngest problem solving skills, reduce access to firearms, support sharing warnings and information about dangerous behaviors, employ our youth, increase aggressive investigation of crime and protect witnesses.  Provide school and community access to mental health services for children and families stressed by violence.  We don’t want to read about violent deaths of our children.

 

Kenny Barnes, Sr. MS, CEO, ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together)

Kevin P Dwyer, Past President, National Association of School Psychologists

Chief William Harrison, Retired, Capitol Heights, MD, Program Manager, NOBLE (National Organization Black Law Enforcement Executives).

 

۞ROOT INC. ۞ 2905 11TH ST. NW, SUITE 207  ۞WASHINGTON, DC 20001  ۞TEL: 202-332-7668 ۞FAX 202-332-8250 ۞ www.rootinc.org ۞