Representative Shevrin Jones Calls on State Legislature For Additional Funds to Decrease Youth Violence in South Florida
West Park – Representative Shevrin Jones (D-West Park) and Senator Oscar Braynon, II (D-Miami Gardens) announced Monday at their Choose Peace/Stop Violence Call to Action Press Conference and Community Town Hall that they will initiate a budget request for additional funding this Legislative Session towards: Parks and Recreation, After-School Programs and Social Services directly for students, young adults and out of school youth.
There was an overwhelming support of Elected Officials and Agencies in attendance at each event. They included: Representatives from Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Office and Senator Bill Nelson Office, Vice Mayor Felicia Brunson (West Park), Commissioner Thomas Dorsett (West Park), Commissioner Sharon Fyfee (West Park), Mayor Lori Moseley (Miramar), Commissioner Yvette Colbourne (Miramar), Mayor Frank Ortis (Pembroke Pines),Commissioner Jay Schwartz (Pembroke Pines), Robert Runcie (Broward County Superintendent of Schools), Robin Bartleman (Broward County School Board Member), Patricia Good (Broward County School Board Member), Cindy Arenberg Seltzer (Children’s Services Council of Broward County, CEO), Colonel Alvin Pollock (Broward Sheriff’s Office), Captain Scott Russell (Broward Sheriff’s Office), Kathleen Cannon (United Way of Broward County, CEO), Maria Schneider (Assistant State Attorney, In Charge of Juvenile Division), Kal Le Var Evans (Assistant State Attorney, Supervisor of Juvenile Division), Representatives from Hispanic Unity of Florida and Miami-Dade Anti-Gang Strategy, and the parents of Daniel Torres and Michael Baker, who lost their lives to violence.
The agencies represented on Monday, spoke to the community about the programs that are currently working and making real strides with this issue of youth violence. Those programs included: 21st Century and Afterschool Title 1, Unity for Teens, Summer Youth Employment Program and other diversion programs.
“We have excellent programs in Broward County that are working; nevertheless, we do need additional funding to make more of an impact in the communities they service. I will work with their offices to get the data on specifics, so that, I can present them in my budget request”, stated Representative Jones.
The community was also encouraged to get involved. With the 21 shootings today in Representative Jones’ district and many more throughout Broward County, Representative Jones is hoping that these funds will help with existing programs that are working; nonetheless, still understands the need for more resources to help address the issue of youth violence.
