Youth violence continues to sweep across Middle Tennessee, but what is being done?

On Saturday, Mothers Over Murder as well as other anti-violence organizations called on community leaders and public officials for help to stop this concerning topic.

The groups are calling on public officials and the community to respond to violence by supporting safety net programs that rehabilitate traumatized communities and create funding opportunities for anti-violence and youth organizations that are out working in the communities.

The groups say they aren’t getting enough money to make the changes that should be happening.

Many of the organizations at Saturday’s meeting say they are paying out of pocket to try to help make a difference, but more money is needed.

“A lot of these organizations they need resources and it is important that they have those resources that they need to help bring that change so that they can be part of the solution,” said community activist, Jay Mazon “You can’t just give pennies and expect to get a million dollars’ worth of results. That just doesn’t make sense. So, I would challenge elected officials, but I challenge the community as well to start supporting the organizations.”

While the number of children committing violent crime is down, their ages are also decreasing. Younger children are committing more serious, violent crimes often times involving stolen guns.

Mayor David Briley, Ronnie Steine, his consultant on Youth Policy, and Ashford Hughes, his Senior Advisor for Workforce Diversity and Inclusion, met recently with Juvenile Court Judge Sheila Calloway and Juvenile Court Clerk Lonnell Matthews.

In an emailed statement, press secretary Thomas Mulgrew said: “Youth violence is a serious issue and one that has Mayor Briley’s focus. The Mayor is committed to working with law enforcement, community leaders, city officials and others to tackle the problem. In the coming weeks, the Mayor looks forward to announcing concrete steps to address the issue.”