JENNINGS, Mo. — The city of Jennings is issuing a call to action. City leaders are inviting people from who are concerned about youth violence to take a stand. It’s part of a larger effort across the area to address a growing problem.
Local leaders and everyday people are saying enough is enough when it comes to crime in general, and especially, crime involving young people.
The family of 14-year-old Justin Brooks is working on laying their beloved teen to rest. Wednesday, police arrested the teenager who is accused of stabbing him to death.
"Most definitely hurts my heart. This most definitely something that you cannot ever get used to,” Jennings Mayor Gary Johnson said.
For the first time since the incident that happened in his city, Johnson is addressing it.
"Something has to be done and I'm not just saying words. We can keep spewing words all that we want but we need to take action," he said.
The city's youth commission is inviting the public to an anti-violence rally Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m. There will be a peace march at Hord and Cozens avenues, the scene of where Brooks lost his life. The rally will be followed by a discussion on how to turn things around.
"Call out everyone in the region to take a stance, to take some type of step towards anti-violence,” Johnson said.
Meantime, another initiative is underway in St. Louis.
"Kids just need something to do. The shooting and fighting starts happening when they get bored and that's the problem,” said party promoter Darren Seals, also known as Peda Peda.
He is now partnering with the city to create entertainment venues just for the youth.
A free party with music will happen Friday for middle school students at 3200 S. Jefferson Avenue from 8 p.m. until midnight. A similar event for high schoolers will happen Saturday at 4206 Kennerly Avenue, also from 8 p.m. until midnight. It’s designed to be a safe haven for youth, giving them something they actually want to do.
"We got police. We got security. We got live entertainment, completely free for the city," Seals said.
“You think this makes a difference?” 5 On Your Side asked.
“It makes a big difference and if it don't, we gonna keep going until it does,” Seals answered.
Thursday, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell said he's seen victims and criminals getting younger and younger. He calls it tragic and "something we need to address."