Nickels seeks $9 million for plan to cut youth violence in half

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wants to reduce youth violence by half and Wednesday proposed spending $9 million on what he called a new approach for targeting at-risk youth.

At a news conference, Nickels urged "a thoughtful, fundamental and urgent change in how we prevent youth violence."

"Nothing compares to the unimaginable pain of losing a child to gun violence," he said, naming four teenagers who were shot and killed this year.

If the City Council approves, Nickels said, programs would focus on 800 kids, including repeat offenders from state detention, youths who are arrested but not detained by King County, middle-school truants and students at risk of suspension, and victims of violence and their friends.

Nickels has not yet set up the specifics of the programs. Still, the mayor set a goal of cutting juvenile violent crimes in half by June 2010, six months after his current term ends. Last year, 762 cases in Seattle were referred for prosecution.

Under the proposal, three community-service agencies would focus on building a network of parents, kids and faith leaders in three areas of the city: the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle in the Central Area; the Atlantic Street Center in Southeast Seattle; and Southwest Youth and Family Services in Southwest Seattle.

Steve Daschle, the director of Southwest Youth and Family Services, said the groups would wait until the mayor's Sept. 29 budget address to start planning the programs.

Nickels said his budget address would include more details on where the $9 million would be spent over the next two years and where he might have to cut the general-fund budget — if it shrinks. About $3.5 million of the total would come from redirecting money from existing programs.

Nickels said some of the money might be used for street outreach, using "violence interrupters" who can intervene before violence occurs, a program that has been successful in Chicago; extended hours at youth centers; more police officers in middle schools; and community-based projects.

The city already funds some similar services, but Nickels' office said there would be a new coordinated, focused approach.

Nickels also called on families and religious groups to take an active role.

"Government programs cannot replace the role of churches, schools and families," he said.

City Councilmember Tim Burgess, chairman of the public-safety committee, said he's waiting to see the specifics.

"I very much like the focused approach, both in terms of geography and in individuals. I think that's very wise," he said. "And I like the prevention and intervention side of the equation."

The Rev. Harvey Drake Jr., from Emerald City Bible Fellowship in Rainier Valley, said his son, 26, survived a drive-by shooting in August.

"I'm interested in getting at the front of the watershed rather than the bottom of the waterfall," he said. "We need to move upstream" to reach kids before violence happens.

"I still don't know the details, but at least the city has stepped up," Drake said.

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