Law Enforcement Partners Gather in California for Youth Violence Prevention Forum

Federal law enforcement officials gathered in California this week as part of the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention.

Currently, six cities, including San Jose, Calif., participate in the National Forum, which focuses on youth violence prevention activities. According to officials from the Department of Justice, the forum is expanding over the next several months to an additional four cities.

“The President said recently that ‘we have no greater mission as a country than keeping our young people safe,’” said Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary at the San Jose site visit. “That’s what the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention is all about – protecting our kids and ensuring they have a future filled with promise.”

At the site visit, Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West emphasized the importance of preventing youth and gang violence in U.S. cities. According to West, the Centers for Disease Control peg homicide as the second leading cause of death among young people and claim that more than 60 percent of children are exposed to some form of violence during their youth.

“By emphasizing collaborative partnerships, evidence-based and data-driven strategies and a balanced, holistic approach, we know we can help communities to curb violence and promote the health, safety and development of our young people,” West said.