North/South – Two Places One Love Unite a Safe Night for Teens
What a fantastic night September 16 was for nearly 150 youth who took part in the combined Safe Night/YCAM Event. By all accounts, everyone had an amazing time.
That’s because this first-time event was supercharged with useful information and high energy entertainment.
Hosted by eight Safe Places with Safe & Sound, the event spanned both the north and south sides of Milwaukee. Hooking up on the north side were B&G North Division, Holton Youth & Family Center, Neu Life Community Resource Center, and Running Rebels Community Organization. Youth from these Safe Places were joined at B&G North Division by youth from LaVarnway B&G.
Coming together to host the south side event were B&G Davis, Latino Community Center, Milwaukee Christian Center and United Community Center. This event took place in the auditorium of Bruce-Guadalupe Middle School.
Kicking off the Youth Crime Analysis Meeting (YCAM) were Milwaukee Police Officers William Singleton and Community Liaison Officer Jesus Gloria. They facilitated the new STOP Program. STOP, the brain child of PO Singleton, helps youth experience what officers go through as they patrol dangerous and uncertain streets.
Youth had a chance to see what goes into a decision by police officers to stop someone on the streets, and heard actual radio dispatch calls intended to alert them to a recent crime. The young people discovered the difficulties officers have deciphering those dispatch calls, and how split-second decisions are often made with sketchy details in less than desirable situations.
Following this high-charged exchange with some of Milwaukee’s finest, youth were treated to grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, courtesy of Running Rebels on the north side; and assorted pizzas on the south side.
And, then, it was on; and the youth brought it. On the north side, DJ Pakk Mann turned up the volume to accompany a string of Safe Place performers. There was break dancing, spoken word poetry, rap and singing to rival any entertainment showcase anywhere.
Performances on the south side were even more diverse. There, youth were entertained by comedians, guitarists, drummers, singers and kick-boxing. Some youth even opened up to share tales of troubled and difficult childhoods, and how finding a safe place with caring adults made a difference in their lives.
To remember the event, each youth in attendance was given a t-shirt with the theme – North/South Two Places One Love – imprinted on the front, along with the Safe Night logo. The Wisconsin Department of Justice Office of Attorney General and Safe & Sound were event sponsors.
Safe Night parties go back almost 20 years to 1993 when they were introduced amid a meteoric rise in crime here in Milwaukee. Since then, they have gone nationwide with the same rules – no weapons, no drugs and no arguments. Safe Nights are intended to keep youth from being victimized by the street dangers, or themselves victimizing others.
On this night, this tried and true tradition lived up to its billing, as the evening was truly a Safe Night for all.
