Flint, Michigan – Mayor Sheldon Neeley has responded decisively to the growing incidence of young violence in Flint by announcing an extensive new project meant to promote peace among the young population of the city. Mayor Neeley announced the Peer Mediator program Monday at a press conference, aimed at training young people to settle problems peacefully before they become violent.
“This is a call to action for everybody inside the City of Flint,” Mayor Neeley said. “We need to work together to make sure our kids have a future in this community. We need to do more.”
Targeting teenagers—especially those between the ages of 12 and 14—the creative program teaches good communication skills, nonviolent intervention approaches, and ways for controlling negative emotions. Apart from a preventive action, the project serves as a developmental tool since it pays participants a stipend, therefore motivating their participation and dedication.
The Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, which directs federal Department of Justice money into local initiatives to fight violent crime—particularly gun violence—provided the funding for this necessary effort. Flint intends to place ten Peer Mediators in every participating school so that the gender ratio is equal—that is, with equal numbers of boys and girls.
Early program participant and 14-year-old student at New Standard Academy Jayshawn Allen expressed a moving perspective on the necessity for similar projects.
“I’ve lost a lot of family and friends to the senseless gunfire and gun violence, and I think we need a change in the City of Flint, and not just here, but everywhere,” Allen said.
Recent tragedies in the neighborhood highlight the significance of this initiative. Four kids at New Standard Academy, including a 15-year-old and a 12-year-old, died from gun violence during the past three weeks alone. Academy principal Correy Black emphasized the need of proactive parent participation.
“We are working hard to do our part, but I need parents to be nosy again. As kids say ‘you’re doing too much,’ but we need you to start doing too much again. Get involved and get intimately involved in the lives of your children.”
The Peer Mediator program’s start fits Mayor Neeley’s Safe & Clean Summer campaign, which also includes Youth Summer Job programs to empower young people with job skills and keep them out of harm’s way.
Flint Police Chief Terence Green emphasized the joint efforts of the police department with the community, including cooperation with the Peacekeepers and intensive officer de-escalation training.
“We’re pretty good at solving crimes and arresting people, but that can’t be the only cure,” Chief Green said. “We can’t arrest our way out of this. The only way we can prevent gun violence is a partnership with the community. We have to have a strong community relationship because that relationship builds trust. If they don’t trust the Police Department, they’re not going to provide us with the crucial information that we need to prevent violent crime.”
Flint has increased public safety precautions in reaction to a rise in killings in 2021. Emphasizing a holistic plan to properly address violent crimes, they include a real-time crime center, unique crime-solving technologies, and partnerships with state and federal agencies such the Michigan State Police, ATF, FBI, and DEA.
Flint’s dedication to changing its story from one of violence to one of safety and community cohesiveness is shown by the city’s whole approach, which combines immediate community involvement with long-term strategic enforcement and prevention.