Nickels announces plan to cut youth crime in half

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wants to cut youth violence in half by June 2010 and today proposed spending $9 million in the next two years to launch programs aimed at at-risk youth.

At a morning news conference, the mayor outlined in broad strokes how a network of community-service agencies would reach out to 800 youths, including repeat offenders leaving state detention, youths arrested for crimes but not detained by King County, middle-school truants and students at risk of suspension, and victims of violence and their friends.

"Nothing compares to the unimaginable pain of losing a child to gun violence," Nickels said, citing four teenagers have been shot and killed in Seattle this year.

Although crime rates overall have declined, the level of youth crime has remained steady for the past four years. In 2007 in Seattle, 762 violent juvenile crimes were referred for prosecution. Nickels set a goal of reducing that number by 50 percent by June 2010.

The investment would require City Council approval. If approved, Nickels said the work would begin in May.

Three agencies would perform the work in different areas of the city: the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle in the Central Area; Southwest Youth and Family Services in southwest Seattle; and the Atlantic Street Center in southeast Seattle.

The agencies would reach out to kids with "violence interrupters," people who have street credibility and would intervene before violence occurs. Nickels said the approach has worked in Baltimore, Chicago and San Jose.

The money would also fund extended hours at youth centers, more police officers in middle schools and community-based projects involving young people.

Of the $9 million, $3.5 million would be redirected from other city programs, and $5.5 million would come from new funds. Nickels did not say where he would make reductions in the budget if the general fund shrinks in the next two years. Those will be outlined when he delivers his budget address Sept. 29.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com