San Mateo Police Sergeant Dave Norris, a member of the Violence Prevention Network, is aware of increasing youth violence. He endorses the goal of the network to collectively discuss and collaborate on the trend. As an example of collaboration, he relates one of his own experiences.
"Our first goal as law enforcement is to make a scene safe. After that I recommend that - if the officers have a moment - they help by listening and directing people to the appropriate resources like community-based organizations and county services."
"Once I arrested a 16 year old for shoplifting. He asked if I would call his sister instead of his dad. He was afraid his dad was going to kill him. He got hysterical. I recognized that something odd was going on here - a deep fear of punishment beyond being grounded. Sometimes we have to ask the hard questions to prevent further crimes from happening. It's very complex. Nothing is what it seems."
In April the Violence Prevention Network, sponsored by Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC), conducted its first meeting with more than 45 community-based, public, private, law enforcement and educational organizations and agencies represented. The purpose of the network is to provide a forum for people in San Mateo County who are working on youth violence prevention to meet regularly to work together.
PCRC will facilitate the upcoming Violence Prevention Network meeting on July 29, 2010 from 9 a.m. - noon. It will feature five panelists: a community leader, a faith-based organization, law enforcement, parents and youth. These panelists will share stories of how violence has personally impacted them and approaches to addressing violence.
To conclude the story, Sergeant Norris said, "We called the Dad. He said he needed time to cool off. We made an alternate release arrangement for the minor. In this county, we have available release alternatives where counselors can use a social assessment tool to determine the next steps. We want to do our jobs, take as much action as we can, and make all the referrals that the law allows us so that maybe we can save a life."
The goal of the July 29th meeting is to build on the needs identified in the first meeting and begin to create action steps for a collaborative effort. The event is open to the public. Reservations are required.
The Violence Prevention Network Meeting will be held at Ralston Hall Mansion, 1500 Ralston Avenue, Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) in Belmont. PCRC and NDNU share missions of community engagement and social justice. They have a long history of collaboration. For more information, contact Debra Ewing at dewing@pcrcweb.org or 650-513-0330 ext. 305.
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Teresa Rose is a certified life coach, mediator, and has a life coaching business based in San Mateo. She is passionate about helping transform internal and interpersonal conflicts into growth and peace of mind.
Email Teresa: Teresa@PeaceOfMindCoaching.com and view www.PeaceOfMindCoaching.com
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