Hamilton City Councilman Calls For Strategy To Address Youth Gun Violence – Hamilton | The Canadian News

A Hamilton city councilman is trying to address what he calls an “overwhelming” concern in the community about gun violence among youth.

Stoney Creek County. Brad Clark is the author of a motion, approved by the community and emergency services committee Thursday, designed to discourage youth from joining gangs, selling drugs and carrying guns.

It’s a city-wide problem, Clark says. “It’s not just happening downtown, it’s not just happening in certain districts,” he said.

“Gangs, drugs and the proliferation of gun crime, while targeting them, still endanger our community at large. Regardless of who dies in these shootings, they have families, they have lives. “

His motion calls for the creation of a program made in Hamilton, through consultation with experts ranging from police to youth workers and members of the clergy.

“We have to reach out to young people,” Clark adds, “to make sure they understand that there are better and wiser ways to earn a living in the community.”

Grace Mater, Hamilton Healthy and Safe Communities Acting General Manager, says the motion aligns with the city’s planned creation of a youth strategy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We really think it’s a great opportunity to come back and engage our community partners in this conversation,” Mater says, “and then we’ll get it back.”

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