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City leaders in Lewiston are trying to find solutions to end, or at least slow, youth violence.
On Monday night, Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline doubled down on his message from over the weekend, saying that ending youth violence starts with parents.
“If you don’t know where your kids are or where they’re hanging out late at night, it’s time to get involved,” Sheline said.
That’s a message Sheline has been sharing since this uptick in violent crime.
He is now suggesting those families seek help from outreach groups and local organizations.
Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services is one of them.
“A lot of them don’t even know what to do with it,” Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services Executive Director Rillwan Osman said.
Osman and his team are launching a “Voices Against Gun Violence” initiative, featuring workshops, community discussions and stories from advocates and survivors every day throughout the month of June, coinciding with National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
“We are asking people to pledge that they can talk about gun violence at home in their communities, at school, outside their school,” Osman said.
Sheline hopes by increasing community outreach teen violence will slow down.
“I’m always optimistic about Lewiston. I appreciate everyone getting involved, and I’m encouraged by what I’m seeing,” Sheline said.
The Lewiston Police Department has hired additional patrols and increased presence downtown.