Sunday, March 25, 2012

Kalamazoo leaders pursue alternatives to end violence

Leaders, experts and local churches are rallying together to stop the recent rise of violence in Kalamazoo.

On Saturday, a national expert on reducing crime took center stage in Kalamazoo. His message was instead of arresting gang members and drug dealers, put them in a room with their mothers and police officers to talk one-on-one.

David Kennedy's program has been implemented in 70 cities in the United States and it's dramatically reduced youth violence.

Kennedy hopes to use his program in Kalamazoo too.

He spoke Saturday night at the Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy and Action in the Community in the Bernhard Center on Western Michigan University's campus.

www.wwmt.com/shared/newsroom/top-stories/stories/wwmt_vid_494.shtml