http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm The Association of Young Americans Policy Issue of the day. en-us Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:10:48 -0400 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:40:00 -0400 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss young_americans@hotmail.com young_americans@hotmail.com http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/9/12/Combatting-Violence-in-Philadelphia In the last two years Philadelphia has had more murders than New York City, despite NY having 6 times the population. An new initiative of the police commissioner and community groups aims to involve 10,000 men in a program to walk their neighborhoods and promote non-violent conflict resolution. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that, "[d]ubbed "A Call to Action: 10,000 men - It's a New Day," the effort will begin Oct. 21 with a rally and recruitment drive at the Liacouras Center, followed days afterward by the training of the volunteers to act as community 'peacekeepers.' 'It's time for African-American men to stand up,' Police Commissioner Johnson said in an interview. 'We have an obligation to protect our women, our children and our elderly. We're going to put men on the street. We're going to train them in conflict resolution.' Johnson said volunteers will be asked to patrol in high-crime areas for two to three hours a day for 'a minimum of 90 days.'" Have you seen increasing violence where you live? Are you familiar with programs in your city for combating violence? What do you think of this initiative in Philadelphia? Share your experiences and thoughts in the Open Forum. crime Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:40:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/9/12/Combatting-Violence-in-Philadelphia http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/5/27/Accountability-Project Paul Moore, a high school teacher in Miami, has been speaking out against violence among high school students after several of his students were killed. He has started something he calls the Accountability Project. "Speak Truth to Power! Join the Accountability Project! Newly elected Gov. Crist, there is a social contract between you and the people. Part of the bargain is that you use the great power of the governor's office to make our schools and the communities around them as safe as possible." Learn more about it on our Participant Issues page. If you have an article or paper you would like to submit for inclusion on our participant issues section, e-mail us. crime Sun, 27 May 2007 20:38:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/5/27/Accountability-Project http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/5/15/Rising-Crime-Rates Crime rates this year are on pace to increase for the second straight year. "Increasing violence among teenagers and other youths appears to have contributed to a nationwide crime spike, the Justice Department said Tuesday. Gangs and gun violence are partly to blame for the rise in crime that is on pace to increase for the second straight year, says Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in a prepared speech," according to the USA Today. A study ordered last fall found "That a growing number of offenders appear to be younger, and their crimes more violent, and that laws in some states provide few, if any, tough penalties on juvenile offenders [and] many youths have little parental oversight and are too easily influenced by gang membership and glamorized violence in popular culture." The Attorney General's full remarks are available here. Do you think increasing crime shoudl be handled with more serious penalties for crimes? Do you think socioeconomic, educational and neighborhood conditions play a role and should be addressed? Start a thread in the Open Forum sharing your ideas. crime Tue, 15 May 2007 15:07:00 -0400 http://associationofyoungamericans.com/blog/index.cfm/2007/5/15/Rising-Crime-Rates