Leaders discussed youth safety plan against violence

MIAMI (WSVN) -- City leaders and school officers came together on Friday, on a mission to stop the violence that's claiming the lives of South Florida children.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez hosted a second joint roundtable discussion on youth safety with local officials at the media center of Miami Senior High School.

A teen was waiting for the bus to Booker T. Washington High School when he was shot by a drive-by vehicle in February.

Aaron Willis, paralyzed from the waist down, was shot in December. "I was on my way coming home and then I just heard gunshots and I fell off the bike," said Willis.

Miami-Dade parents, teachers and school officials have buried nearly 100 children since 2009.

Carvhalo has personally comforted at least 40 families. "We need to target what happens with kids after school, in the parks, on the streets," he said. "We need to provide mental heath opportunities and solutions for these kids," he continued.

Police, PTA presidents, parents and activists are asking for more security and police presence near schools. "Parents can't be everywhere all the time. To have people, personnel, security and police officer in different areas, to be in parks, to be in bus stops," said PTA president Cathy Watson.

Gimenez has stepped in, committing his police officers' support for funds as a top priority to keep guards over the streets in high-risk neighborhoods and parks during school hours and after school.

Carvalho said effective immediately, there will be more police officer presence in school during school hours and in high-risk neighborhoods and parks.

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