Youth leaders push for change after increase in violent crime

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It has been a difficult week for the Charlotte community and it started before the University of North Carolina Charlotte shooting -- at least one person has been killed in our city every day for the last five days.

Now, young people in the community are adding their voices and saying "Enough is enough."

It's not even half way through 2019 and almost 50 people have lost their lives to violence.

Righteous Keitt is a senior in high school and a student leader with the non-profit Generation Nation. They are one of several youth partners who have been working with police to figure out what needs to happen next.

"The world is in a crisis. It comes down to three groups of people," Keitt said. "You have your students, who have to stop instigating fight."

He said he then called on parents and teachers to help the young people in the community find other ways to work through their issues by teaching them strategies at home and at school.

"And, don't put it on a video because students won't watch that," Keitt said. "Actually go and teach students in their face how you're supposed to resolve a conflict. I think personally it just falls down on how are we treating each other."

Even with all the violence this year, Keitt said he still feels safe. But he said, everyone should feel safe.

"The day we can do that for everyone, then I can easily say 'Yes, I feel safe.' But, it's not about me. It's about those who don't," Keitt said.

Cox Media Group