>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

PARIS SCHUTZ HAS THE EVENING OFF.

WE HAVE THE LATEST IN THE WTTW NEWS A SAFER CITY.

EVERY MONDAY IN JULY AND AUGUST, WE ARE DEVOTING OUR ENTIRE PROGRAM TO ISSUES OF SAFETY.

WE WILL ALSO PRIORITIZE PUBLIC SAFETY AND ONLINE COVERAGE ONLINE AT WTTW.COM/SAFER CITY.

NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW TEENAGERS ARE MOBILIZING TO TACKLE VIOLENCE IN THEIR OWN WAYS.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT.

>> LET'S GET TO WORK WE DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WE HIRED.

>> THEY ARE LOOKING AT WHERE THE GOAL OF HIRING MORE YOUTH STANDARDS.

>>> YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE CHARGE IN AN ANTI-VIOLENT EFFORT.

WHAT THEY ARE BRINGING TO THE TABLE.

>> THE COMMUNITY IS COMING BACK OUT.

>> RECLAIMING SAFE PUBLIC SPACES FOR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE CITY WITH A BIG DOSE OF FUN.

ALL THAT AND MORE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ALEXANDRA AND JOHN NICHOLS.

THE JIM AND KAY NAVY FAMILY.

THE POLK BROS. FOUNDATION.

AND THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

CHICAGO TONIGHT'S COVERAGE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS SUPPORTED BY THE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INITIATIVE FOR REDUCING VIOLENCE IN CHICAGO.

>> SUMMER MEANS TAKING A BREAK FROM SCHOOL THAT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THROUGH A SUMMER JOB.

MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON SAYS TEENAGE EMPLOYMENT IS MORE THAN A PAYCHECK, BUT ALSO A PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY.

HE PLEDGED TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF JOBS IN ONE SUMMER CHICAGO.

HERE TO CHECK ON THAT GOAL AND DISCUSS THE IMPACT OF TEENAGE SUMMER EMPLOYMENT IS JENNIFER JOHNSON AND THE DEPUTY MAYOR FOR EDUCATION, YOUTH, AND HUMAN SERVICES.

WE SHOULD SAY THEY'RE NOT RELATED TO MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON.

WE ALSO HAVE THE CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER AT A NONPROFIT PROVIDING PAID OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND COLEMAN, WHO IS PARTICIPATING IN THE PEACEMAKERS PROGRAM WITH AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS THIS SUMMER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

LET'S START WITH YOU.

THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THEIR TOP PRIORITIES ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

HE PLEDGED TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF YOUTHS EMPLOYED WITH SUMMER JOBS.

HOW FAR ARE WE?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU'RE COUNTING FROM.

WHAT WE ARE TENDING TO DO IS TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OVER THE COURSE OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.

WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS ON THAT.

THE SUMMER, WE EXPECT TO SEE SEVERAL THOUSAND ADDITIONAL YOUTH JOBS FULFILLED.

WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED CONVERSATIONS ABOUT YEAR-ROUND EMPLOYMENT.

WE WANT TO MAKE MORE ROBUST PROGRAMS , WHICH ARE NEWER AND RELATIVELY SMALL, AND WE ARE CALLING ON ALL EMPLOYERS, ALL DEPARTMENTS, ALL AGENCIES OF THE CITY TO THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU COULD HAVE GREAT EXPERIENCES.

THAT IS THE OTHER PIECE.

WE DO NOT JUST WANT A TOKEN OFFICE POSITION.

WE WANT EXPERIENCES THAT WILL LEAD TO STUDENTS FEELING FULFILLED AND FINDING PASSION AND GETTING SKILLS THAT WILL TAKE THEM FURTHER IN THEIR LIFE.

WE WANT QUALITY, NOT JUST QUANTITY.

>> IN 2019, THEY WERE ABLE TO EMPLOY NEARLY EVERY TEENAGER WHO APPLIED.

LAST SUMMER, AND THE SUMMER, WE HAVE THE NUMBERS ON THE SCREEN.

THE PROGRAM HAS HAD JOBS FOR FEWER THAN HALF OF THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED.

WHY DO YOU THINK YOUTH EMPLOYMENT HAS NOT REBOUNDED FROM THE PANDEMIC?

>> THERE ARE TWO THINGS GOING ON.

THE NEED IS GREAT.

EVEN APPLICATION NUMBERS DO NOT REALLY SPEAK TO THE FULL BREADTH OF NEED FOR THOSE ARE THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO GOT ASSISTANCE AND WHETHER THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

THE OTHER PIECES, WE TRY TO DO SOME THINGS INTERNALLY AS A CITY IN TERMS OF THE QUALITY OF THE EXPERIENCE, BUT ALSO THE PAY.

WE WANT YOUTH EMPLOYMENT NOT TO BE A SMALL NUMBER OF HOURS BUT WE WANT THEM TO BE REAL PART-TIME JOBS AND IN SOME CASES, FULL-TIME JOB EXPERIENCES TO KEEP STUDENTS FULLY OCCUPIED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND THE SUMMER.

WE ALSO INCREASED THE PAY.

SO, A PARITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO THIS ADMINISTRATION.

YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE RECEIVING MINIMUM WAGE AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THEY WERE ALWAYS RECEIVING IN THE PAST.

WE WANT QUALITY WILL WANT TO SHOW YOUNG PEOPLE THAT WE VALUE THEM WITH WHAT WE ARE PAYING THEM, SO THAT MEANS IT WILL BE MORE CHALLENGING IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET AND IN TERMS OF GETTING THE NUMBERS WE EXPECT THE NUMBERS TO COME BUT WE DO NOT WANT TO JUST DO IT ARBITRARILY.

>> WE KNOW AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS WAS FORMED IN 1991 BY FIRST LADY MAGGIE DALEY, AND LOUIS.

OFFERING THEM PAID OPPORTUNITIES FOR NOT TYPICAL SUMMER JOBS.

>> WE PROVIDE AFTER-SCHOOL PAID OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL TEENAGERS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND WE HAVE PROGRAMS IN NEARLY EVERY COMMUNITY IN THE CITY.

WE WILL WORK WITH SCHOOLS AND PARKS AND WE HAVE THREE FLAGSHIP LOCATIONS AND WE ALSO OFFER PROGRAMS AT SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS.

WE PROVIDE THIS PROGRAMMING IN ARTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND LEADERSHIP, SPORTS, AND S.T.E.M.

-- THE PAID PIECE IS IMPORTANT.

WE WANT YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO NOT HAVE ANY BARRIERS FOR PARTICIPATION, BUT THE QUALITY PIECE IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A PATHWAY IN WHATEVER CAREER PATH THEY MIGHT WANT TO TAKE ON AND MAKE SURE THEIR LEARNING NEW SKILLS.

OF COURSE, HAVING FUN.

WE WANT YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE FUN, WHETHER THEY ARE MEETING THEIR PEERS ACROSS THE CITY, BUT THEY ARE GAINING CRITICAL SKILLS THAT THEY CAN USE AFTER THEIR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS.

>> I SEE YOU NODDING YOUR HEAD, JAMAR RAY.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT AND WHAT A TYPICAL DAY MIGHT BE LIKE FOR YOU.

>> IT COULD BE US BEING -- CHECKING IN TO SEE HOW THE WEEKEND IS GOING.

TO GIVE US A CHANCE TO EXPRESS OURSELVES.

>> WHAT KIND OF WORK OR ACTIVITIES HAVE YOU GOTTEN INTO?

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO DO?

>> TO GET SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS AND WE ACTUALLY GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND ACTUALLY PICK UP THE TRASH.

>> TELL ME MORE ABOUT WHAT ELSE YOU HAVE DONE AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN WITH PEACEMAKERS.

>> I HAVE BEEN WITH THEM FOR QUITE A WHILE.

I GET TO WORK WITH GREAT MENTORS LIKE JOHNNY DORSEY AND I GET TO MEET MORE PEOPLE I NEVER ACTUALLY HAVE SEEN BEFORE AND I GET A CHANCE TO SOCIALIZE MORE.

>> WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE INCIDENTS, OF COURSE, OF UNRULY TEENAGERS CAUSING SOME CHAOS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

THE MOST MEMORABLE ONE WAS THAT INCIDENT IN MILLENNIUM PARK IN APRIL.

WE KNOW, YOU KNOW, THE MAYOR HAS SAID , YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO STOP DEMONIZING THE YOUTH AND YOUNG PEOPLE AND INSTEAD FIND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.

IS EMPLOYMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS ONE OF THE MANY STRATEGIES WE NEED TO EMPLOY IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL VALUED AND FEEL SEEN AND HAVE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES WHERE THEY CAN BE THEMSELVES BUT ALSO GROW.

I THINK WE ARE TAKING FOR GRANTED JUST HOW MUCH TRAUMA WE HAVE ALL BEEN FOR, BUT PARTICULARLY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

THE PANDEMIC JUST EXACERBATED EXISTING CHALLENGES THAT OUR COMMUNITIES FACE.

WE THINK EMPLOYMENT IS ONE PART OF THAT WE ALSO NEED TO THINK ABOUT SAFE SPACES.

ONE OF THE JOBS THIS SUMMER, YOUNG PEOPLE GET TO CREATE SAFE SPACES FOR THEIR PEERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY HAVE KICKBACKS.

WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES.

SPACES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN CONGREGATE AND HANG OUT AND DO AN ACTIVITY.

WE HAVE CONNECTED YOUTH EMPLOYMENT THROUGH SHINE MY FUTURE TO ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS.

I THINK WE NEED MORE OF THAT WE NEED EVERYONE TO STEP UP AND SAY, I CAN OFFER SOMETHING TO YOUNG PEOPLE WITH EMPLOYMENT AND SAFE SPACES AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP PEOPLE LEARN HOW TO DO THAT WELL.

BUT IT WILL TAKE ALL KINDS OF STRATEGIES TO KEEP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE OCCUPIED BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE ALL GOT INTO LITTLE SHENANIGANS WHEN WE WERE A TEENAGER.

WE NEED TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES IN EVERY COMMUNITY'S.

>> AND THEY LEAD TO DIFFERENT PLACES.

IT IS DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU ARE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS FOR TEENAGERS GETTING JOBS?

>> I THINK, AGAIN, THIS IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY NEED A STIPEND FOR TRANSPORTATION, GETTING TO AND FROM THEIR PROGRAM.

SOMETIMES A LOT OF PARENTS -- AS MENTIONED, THEY ARE ENGAGE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE HELPING THEM NAVIGATE SPACES, BUT SOME YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE THAT.

HAVING THEM HAVE MENTORS IS IMPORTANT.

WHETHER IT IS COUNSELORS AT SCHOOL OR JUST COMMUNITY LEADERS HELPING THEM CONNECT WITH DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST, THAT IS REALLY KEY.

WE WANT YOUNG PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT IS OUT THERE AND THAT THEY ARE CONNECTED TO QUALITY, HIGH IMPACT OPPORTUNITIES WHERE THEY CAN REALLY THRIVE AND LEARN THOSE SOFT SKILLS WE WANT THEM TO WALK AWAY WITH.

WE WANT THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN A CULINARY PROGRAM.

THEY MIGHT DECIDE I'M NOT LOOKING TO BECOME A CHEF BUT I WAS PART OF THAT PROGRAM AND I HAVE THAT WORK AS A TEENAGER I LEARNED COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

I HAVE LEARNED VERBAL COMMUNICATION.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO HAVE THOSE EXPERIENCES AND HAVE THOSE MENTORS THAT OFTENTIMES THEY MAY NOT HAVE AT HOME.

THEY MIGHT'VE HAD THAT WITH THEIR OWN PARENTS IN SOME REGARD, BUT WE NEED FOLKS OUTSIDE OF THE HOME THAT ARE ALSO PROVIDING THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> GWYNN OAK IS A SOMETIMES LISTEN TO OTHER ADULTS BETTER THAN THEIR OWN PARENTS.

ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THE TEENS WHO APPLIED CAN ACTUALLY GET AN AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS PLACEMENT.

WHAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES DO YOU NEED TO ENSURE THAT MORE TEENAGERS WERE EVERY TEAM THAT APPLIES CAN HAVE ACCESS TO WORK?

>> I THINK WOULD HAVE BEEN HELPFUL IS -- WE ARE REALLY PROVIDING THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES.

CAN THEY GO TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES THEY MAY NOT HAVE AVAILABLE FOR THEM.

IN ANY WAY OR FORM, WE TRY TO PLACE THEM IN SOME KIND OF PROGRAM OR SOME TYPE OF SPACE.

WE WANT THE TEENAGERS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR A PROGRAM TO FIND AN OPPORTUNITY.

WE NEVER WANT TO TURN ANYONE AWAY.

OF COURSE, THE NEED IS HIGHER -- THE DEMAND IS HIGHER THAN WHAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE AT TIMES.

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT AND I APPRECIATE THE MAYOR AND HIS ADMINISTRATION FOR FOCUSING ON ELEVATING THAT AND MAKING THAT A PRIORITY.

>> JAMARI, DESPITE -- WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS TO WORK IN THE SUMMER?

>> HAVING GREAT MENTORS.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE SUMMER OPPORTUNITY HAS MEANT FOR YOU?

>> IT HAS MEANT A LOT TO ME.

I GET TO MEET NEW PEOPLE AND IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO GET MYSELF ACTIVE, NOT STAYING IN THE HOUSE ALL DAY.

IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO ACTUALLY GO OUT AND MEET PEOPLE AND HAVE GREAT DISCUSSIONS.

MY MENTOR, JOHNNY DORSEY, HE HAS TAUGHT ME TO HUMBLE MYSELF AND HE HAS TAUGHT ME SELF-CONTROL.

THAT IS WHY I LOVE THIS PROGRAM SO MUCH AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A CHANCE FOR TEENAGERS TO GET OFF THE STREETS AND ACTUALLY BE ACTIVE IN THE WORLD AND LEAVE THEMSELVES FOR THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SOMETIMES, MAKING THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFER IS AS SIMPLE AS A WATER BALLOON FIGHT OR PLAYING IN A BOUNCE HOUSE.

WE ARE LIVE IN GARFIELD WITH MORE ON HOW DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS ARE MAKING PUBLIC SPACES SAFE, WELCOMING, AND FUN.

NICK?

>> Reporter: PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT JUST ABOUT ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME OR STOPPING PEOPLE FROM PICKING UP A GUN.

IT CAN ALSO BE ABOUT CREATING A SENSE WHERE PEOPLE CAN SPEND TIME OUTSIDE AND EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF A CHICAGO SUMMER THAT I KNOW WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO.

ON FRIDAY, WE VISITED THIS PARK TO SEE HOW A SERIES OF EVENTS CALLED LIGHT IN THE NIGHT IS DOING THAT.

ON A HOT SUMMER DAY, THE FUN IN ST. LOUIS PARK IS SPILLING INTO THE STREET.

TODAY'S EVENT HAS A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, FOOD ON THE GRILL, AND PLENTY OF WATER BALLOONS.

THAT REFLECTS THE RANGE OF DIFFERENT EVENTS THAT MAKE UP THE LIGHT IN THE NIGHT SERIES.

>> THEY ARE PLAYING CARD GAMES AND CHILDREN CAN ENGAGE IN BOUNCE HOUSES AND SNOW CONES AND I WORKED THE COTTON CANDY MACHINE >> Reporter: IDEA IS TO RECLAIM SAFE PUBLIC SPACES FOR COMMUNITIES ACROSS CHICAGO.

IT IS PART OF METROPOLITAN PEACE INITIATIVE AND THOSE FOR HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO MAKE THE CITY SAFER FOR EVERYONE.

THEY PARTNER WITH 14 DIFFERENT GROUPS ACROSS 27 COMMUNITIES.

>> EACH COMMUNITY IS UNIQUE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS FOR LICENSES TO OPERATE.

THEY CAN SERVE THE RESIDENTS IN THEIR AREA OF THE BEST.

>> THEY SAY PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A PLACE TO GATHER WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND NEIGHBORS, EVEN WHEN THE STREET IS NOT FILLED WITH THE SOUNDS OF A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT OR THE DUNK TANK.

>> WE HOPE THAT WHILE WE HAVE THESE THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, BUT ON TUESDAY NIGHT, THEY FEEL JUST AS COMFORTABLE AS THEY DID WHEN WE WERE THERE, RECLAIMING THE SAFE SPACES IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: IT ACTUALLY HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT ONCE WE SATURATE THE AREA WITH OUR PRESENT'S, WITH FOOD, MUSIC, AS WELL AS JUST GETTING THE COMMUNITY TO COME BACK OUT, AFTER WE ARE GONE, THE COMMUNITY IS COMING OUT ON THEIR OWN.

:DAMIEN MORRIS WORKS JUST DOWN THE BLOCK FROM THIS EVENT AND HE SAYS AFTER A VIOLENT INCIDENT ABOUT 14 YEARS AGO, MANY PEOPLE SIMPLY STAYED INSIDE.

THE WORK OF CREATING A SAFE AND JOYFUL ENVIRONMENT MOTIVATES HIM.

IF AND ALSO CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE VENDORS WHO GET HIRED WITH A FOCUS ON BLACK AND BROWN CHICAGOANS, AS WELL AS THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH BREAKTHROUGH.

>> WE USED THIS MOMENT WITH ASSISTANCE.

WE GIVE THEM WORK EXPERIENCE BUT WE ALSO ALLOW THEM TO SEE THE RESULTS OF THEIR HARD WORK AS WELL.

>> I HAVE BEEN WITH THEM FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT A LONG TIME.

I MEAN, I GOT COMFORTABLE VERY FAST.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE WORKED WITH BREAKTHROUGH FOR THREE YEARS.

SHE SAYS HELPING RUN THESE EVENTS AND SEEING THE RESULTS OF HER HARD WORK IS GRATIFYING, EVEN IF IT CAN BE A LITTLE OUT OF HER COMFORT ZONE.

>> I AM NOT AN OUTGOING PERSON, BUT WHEN I SEE THE PERSON, I WANT THEM TO SMILE.

I WANT THEM TO BE COMFORTABLE.

I LIKE DOING STUFF LIKE THAT.

I WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE IT IS NATURAL, LIKE YOU ARE AT HOME.

>> Reporter: LIGHT IN THE NIGHT EVENTS GENERALLY RUN FROM WEDNESDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND ALL SUMMER LONG.

THEY GET OFF IN THE AFTERNOON AND WENT THROUGH 8:00 OR 9:00 WE HAVE A LINK TO THE FULL SERIES OF LIGHT IN THE NIGHT EVENTS AND ALL DIFFERENT GROUPS ARE PUT ON ON OUR WEBSITE.

BRANDIS?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT LOOKS LIKE FUN.

>> GUN DEATHS ROSE 50% IN JUST TWO YEARS.

IN CHICAGO, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LEAVING EFFORTS TO REVERSE THESE TRENDS.

JOINING US ARE YOUTH ORGANIZERS WITH BOLD RESISTANCE AGAINST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE AND THEN COMMUNITIES UNITED AND MEET THE CHALLENGE IN A NUMBER OF THE PUBLIC-SCHOOL STUDENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO, ALL OF YOU ARE CURRENTLY STUDENTS.

I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU WANTED TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS KIND OF WORK.

I WILL START WITH YOU.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD BE A PART OF THIS, WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> I FELT MOVED TO DO THIS.

>> HELLO, I HAVE LOST A LOT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO GUN VIOLENCE AND THE TRAGEDY WAS UNFAIR.

ALSO, I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE NEED A CHANGE IN CHICAGO THAT CAN BE DONE.

WE NEED HELP.

>> I JOINED BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THINGS HAPPEN AT MY SCHOOL, WHERE THE SAFETY IS NOT THERE.

PEOPLE FEEL LIKE GOING TO SCHOOL IS A HAZARD.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK FOR THEM AND OTHERS THAT DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

I CAN DO THAT FOR THEM.

>> I JOINED JUST TO MAKE A CHANGE IN MY COMMUNITY BECAUSE I OFTEN FEEL LIKE BECAUSE I AM A CHILD, THAT I CANNOT -- MY VOICE DOES NOT MATTER, THAT I CANNOT MAKE A CHANGE.

BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT FOR THIS ORGANIZATION.

>> YOU SPOKE ABOUT ENDING GUN VIOLENCE AT AN EVENT.

WHAT DID YOU TALK ABOUT?

YOU SPOKE AT AN EVENT ABOUT ENDING GUN VIOLENCE.

WHAT DID YOU TALK ABOUT?

>> I TALKED ABOUT HOW THE VIOLENCE THAT -- IT IS RUINING OUR CHILDREN.

IT IS VERY TRAUMATIZING, WAKING UP IN THE MORNING AND YOU CANNOT BE A KID IN CHICAGO.

YOU CANNOT WALK TO THE CORNER STORE OR YOU CANNOT GRAB WATER BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS.

YOU CAN GET SHOT.

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.

MY OWN MOTHER IS SCARED OF ME WALKING OUTSIDE TO GRAB A GLASS OF WATER OR SOMETHING BECAUSE I COULD GET SHOT.

I COULD GET KIDNAPPED.

I COULD GO MISSING.

CHILDREN ARE BEING ENDANGERED EVERY SINGLE DAY.

RECENTLY, HE WAS SHOT AND HE WAS KILLED WITH AN ASSAULT WEAPON.

HE WAS A CHILD HE WAS NINE YEARS OLD.

HE LIVED TWO BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE.

AND IT REALLY MOVED ME.

OUR CHILDREN ARE IN DANGER.

SPEECH WAS ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU GUYS NEED TO HEAR THEIR NAMES AND YOU GUYS NEED TO RECOGNIZE THESE CHILDREN ARE IN DANGER.

THAT IS WHY I CHOSE TO DO THIS.

>> YOU HAVE ALL BEEN PUSHING FOR PEACEFULNESS.

>> WE WANT TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

WE WANT TO INVEST IN THEM.

I AM SORRY.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY PROVIDE RESOURCES.

WHO IS IT FOR?

>> THE COMMUNITY, THE NEIGHBORHOODS, EVERYBODY WHO LIVES IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT WILL PROVIDE PEACE.

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TIPS YOU WOULD SAY OR SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS THAT YOU NEED TO HELP PEOPLE?

>> HELPING THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

HELPING WITH RESOURCES , THOSE IN NEED.

>> YOU HAVE WORKED ON GETTING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OUT OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU.

HOW DO SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS IN SCHOOL, HOW DOES THAT FIT INTO THE OLD LARGER CONVERSATION ABOUT YOUTH PUBLIC SAFETY?

>> WELL, IF STUDENTS OR CHILDREN ARE HAVING A NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE WITH POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREET, THAT MAY LATER ON AFFECT THEM ON HOW THEY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH A POLICE OFFICER OR AN SRO, SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER, LATER DOWN THE LINE WITH THEY HAVE THEM PRESENT IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

THIS MAY MAKE THEM FEAR THEM BASED OFF OF WHAT THEY SEE IN THEIR COMMUNITY OR HOW POLICE OFFICERS, HOW THEY MOVE AROUND IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO, HAVING A POLICE OFFICER INSIDE OF A SCHOOLMATE MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE IT IS NOT A SAFE ENVIRONMENT OR NOT FEEL SAFE OR HEARD BECAUSE POLICE OFFICERS ARE AROUND.

OR AN AS OH -- >> DO YOU THINK STUDENTS EVER FELT THAT THE EXISTENCE OF AN SRO IN A SCHOOL MIGHT HAVE INCREASED THE LIKELIHOOD THAT, YOU KNOW, A COP OR THE COPS GET CALLED OR CRIMINAL CHARGES GET FILED ON SOMETHING VERY MINOR, THAT THE SCHOOL COULD HAVE HANDLED?

>> DEFINITELY.

THEIR FIRST INSTINCT, AT MY SCHOOL, THE FIRST INSTINCT WAS TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE SROs ABOUT CERTAIN INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED INSIDE THE SCHOOL, WHERE IT COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO THE OFFICE AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED WAY DIFFERENT HIM AWAY DIFFERENTLY THAN HOW THEY DID IT.

A LOT OF STUDENTS WOULD SIMPLY GET ARRESTED.

>> WHEN TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH?

>> I THINK MY MENTAL HEALTH IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS.

IT GOES HAND-IN-HAND WITH OVERALL SAFETY.

IF A PERSON DOES NOT FEEL, LIKE, IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, WHERE THEY FEEL THEY CANNOT BE HEARD OR EXPRESS THEMSELVES WITHOUT BACKLASH, I FEEL THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT SO HARD FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A SPACE TO GO TO AND FEEL OKAY WITH IT AND THAT IS WHEN SITUATIONS -- >> ANOTHER QUESTION I WANT TO GO AROUND THE TABLE ON THIS ONE.

WHAT DOES PUBLIC SAFETY LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

>> TO BE HONEST, THERE IS NO PUBLIC SAFETY IN MY EYES.

BASICALLY THE COMMUNITY COMING TOGETHER.

THAT IS PUBLIC SAFETY IN MY EYES.

>> TERRIBLE.

MY COMMUNITY IS TERRIBLE.

THE CITY DOES NOT PROVIDE OUR NEEDS AND IS NOT PROVIDING FOR OUR CHILDREN'S KNEES OR FOUR HOURS SAFETY.

WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE.

WE DO NOT BLAME THE COPS OR OUR KIDS.

THEY ARE NOT THE REASON.

POLICE ARE NOT THE REASON.

THE CITY IS THE REASON.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED OR ACCOMPLISHED.

THEY DECIDED NOT TO.

>> WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, FOR YOU TO FEEL SAFE FOR YOUR COMMUNITIES TO LOOK SAFE?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AT MY SCHOOL, WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM MAKING SURE THE STUDENTS ARE THE ONES LEADING THE CONVERSATIONS THAT NEED TO BE HELD.

BEING AN ADULT, THERE IS THAT BORDER OF, LIKE, POWER.

A LOT OF TIMES, THAT IS WHERE IT GETS HARD AND IT GETS HARD TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN WHAT IS GOING ON, TO WANT TO OPEN UP.

I FEEL LIKE OVERALL, THEY ARE MAKING SURE THE SECURITY GUARDS AT SCHOOL -- THAT THEY GET BETTER TRAINING, TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW HOW TO HANDLE SITUATIONS.

>> I WOULD SAY A LOT OF AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND MAKING SURE THAT THE STUDENTS AND THAT THE KIDS ARE PART OF THE DECISION-MAKING.

THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO AFFECT US DOWN THE LINE .

WE SHOULD BE A PART OF THE DECISION-MAKING PICK WE SHOULD HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD ALSO, ESPECIALLY IF IT WILL AFFECT US.

>> WHAT YOU THINK PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT THE NARRATIVE OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN CHICAGO?

WHAT DO YOU HEAR?

WHAT DO THEY OFTEN SAY THAT YOU WERE LIKE, THAT IS NOT TRUE.

>> THAT THE YOUTH IS JUST BAD.

WE CREATE THE NARRATIVE.

BASICALLY, WE ARE NOT BAD AT ALL.

WE JUST GO THROUGH A LOT.

THERE IS A LOT GOING ON.

THAT IS WHAT I SEE.

>> I FEEL LIKE THERE IS THIS DAY TO DAY TRAUMA THAT WE CANNOT CONTROL.

WE DO NOT WANT IT TO BE THAT WAY.

I THINK -- I KNOW THAT WE DESERVE MORE OF THESE COMMUNITY CENTERS.

WE DO HAVE THEM, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST LONGER HOURS , LONGER HOURS OF WORKING.

A LITTLE BIT MORE PAY.

IF YOUR CHILD GETS OFF AT 9:00 P.M. AND HE GOES HOME, HE SHOULD JUST GO HOME.

A LOT OF CHILDREN, THEY ARE BORN FROM HOUSEHOLDS THAT THEY CANNOT CONTROL THINGS.

WE DO NOT HAVE THINGS TO DO AND EVEN IF WE GET A JOB, WE NEED LONGER HOURS SO WE CAN STAY BUSY.

A LOT OF KIDS TEND TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES THAT THEY CANNOT CONTROL.

IT COULD BE PTSD.

THEY WILL TRY TO KEEP THEMSELVES DISTRACTED BY DOING THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.

PEOPLE INFLUENCE THAT BECAUSE THEY THINK THE YOUTH ARE BAD.

WE ARE NOT BAD BUT WE WERE JUST BORN INTO THE BAD.

WE WANT TO DO GOOD AND INTO THE GOOD AND WE WANT GOOD THINGS.

I SUGGEST LONGER HOURS OF WORKING AND OPEN THE COMMUNITY CENTERS UNTIL 11:00 P.M.

THEY THEN HAVE PROTECTION.

JUST BE MORE MINDFUL OF PEOPLE AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

PEOPLE ARE CRAZY, YES.

WE CANNOT CONTROL THAT, BUT IF YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP A YOUNG PERSON AND YOU ARE AN ADULT, THE FIRST AND THAT SHOULD COME TO MIND IS ARE YOU HOME?

THIS IS YOUR HOME TO COME HOME AND I WILL BE YOUR HOME FOR YOU.

>> WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

YOU KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THE FOUR OF YOU CAN TALK ABOUT A LOT BECAUSE YOU WORK ON IT A LOT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THAT IS OUR FOR THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

JOIN US NEXT MONDAY FOR THE NEXT PROGRAM IN THIS SERIES AND BE SURE TO FOLLOW OUR ONGOING COVERAGE ONLINE.

DO NOT FORGET TO STAY CONNECTED WITH US BY SIGNING UP FOR OUR DAILY BRIEFING AND YOU CAN GET CHICAGO TONIGHT STREAMED ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, AND OUR WEBSITE, WTTW.COM/NEWS YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE PODCAST AND THE VIDEO APP.

TWINNESS TOMORROW NIGHT AT 5:30 AND 10:00.

THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT WILL RULE ON ONE OF THE PILLARS OF THE SAFETY ACT.

THE LIMITATION OF CASH BAIL.

NOW THE LIST IS DOWN TO THREE.

WE HEAR FROM MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION JOINED WITH FIXING THE NEXT TOP CAR.

FROM ALL OF US, I AM BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

THEY -- STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.