ATLANTA — Georgia lawmakers and law enforcement representatives gathered Monday to discuss and address the escalating issue of youth violence in the state. The hearing, which focused on exploring solutions to curb violence among children and teens, brought to light the multifaceted nature of the problem.
Experts and officials emphasized that understanding the complexity of the issue is essential in devising effective strategies.
"First, we have to understand the problem, right? And I find a lot of times and some of these discussion arenas, it is not real clear that everybody does necessarily fully understand the problem," stated a representative from the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.
Special Agent Ken Howard, also with the GBI, highlighted the intricate factors contributing to youth involvement in violent crimes. He underscored the increased risk for youth lacking adequate supervision or positive adult role models.
During the hearing, concerns were raised regarding firearm injuries being the leading cause of death among children aged one to 19, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
Shawanda Reynolds, Cobb County’s Commissioner of Juvenile Justice, emphasized the importance of addressing mental health as a significant factor in youth violence.
"It's just under 40% of youth who also have some type of trauma that needs to be worked out," Reynold said.
While a single solution was not identified during the meeting, Committee Chair Representative Brian Prince expressed optimism that sharing information and collaborating on best practices would pave the way for more effective strategies.
"At least (it) gives everyone an opportunity to come to the table, share some best practices, and then we'll see what we can do," said Prince.
Prince further conveyed that this hearing was only the beginning of a series of discussions, with plans to involve more children and teens to understand their perspectives and experiences related to the problems surrounding youth violence in Georgia.