Selma citizens gather to discuss solutions to youth violence after several teen shootings

More mentors. More recreation options. Better communication with police. More parental engagement and accountability.

These topics rose to the top at a three-hour community discussion Saturday evening to strategize ways to address the rise in youth violence.

Sixty citizens attended the “stop the silence, stop the violence” discussion at George Evans Center hosted by Selma foot soldier Rev. Evelyn Manns. While planned a week before in response to the Jan. 31 teen shootout at Selma Walmart that left a bystander dead, the meeting had another incident that made it even more valid: the shooting death the day before of a 14-year-old freshman who attends Selma Virtual Academy/Alternative Learning Center. A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with his killing.

Manns called the gathering a “soft conversation” that she hoped would produce action items. With many hot topics raised, including a political debate between Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. and City Council President Billy Young, Manns said she will be hosting another meeting like it to continue the conversation.

The crowd was made up of residents, ministers, community leaders and Selma City School Board President and mayoral candidate Johnny Moss III. The police department was not represented, although Manns said they were invited. Many there – including Perkins and Young – had personal stories of how gun violence is directly impacting their lives and homes in Selma.

Sitting at the head table were family members of Marcus Martin, the innocent bystander who was killed in the Selma Walmart parking lot. Four males ages 16-20 have been arrested and charged with his murder.

Martin’s sister Brittany gave a heart-wrenching story, saying she now has to live the rest of her life without her brother, without making Sunday dinner together, without his help to push her out of her comfort zone. And, as a Walmart employee, she has to go the store where he died every day.

“I lost someone who shouldn’t have died,” she said.

Martin described Selma as a great place to grow up with many fun activities for young people, such as a skating rink. She said today’s youth need more activities and added that older teens need to model how younger children should act. She worries about her oldest son, who is 12, and how he will be influenced by the Selma teens of today.

“There is no standard in the city. What did we do to change the standard? What are we teaching the next generation?” Martin asked.

The audience got to hear from a young man in the audience who was brought to the discussion by community activist Faya Rose Toure along with a dozen young people to give input in exchange for pizza. The teen agreed there aren’t enough activities to keep teens occupied in Selma and mentioned the need for a skating rink, go-kart track and more restaurants.

“Kids need more activities to want to be children,” he said.

Manns talked about modeling a program in Selma after one that succeeded in Harlem, New York, called the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement.

“It includes faith-based leaders, political leaders and business leaders coming together to help raise the standard,” said Manns, who moved to Brooklyn decades ago. “We need to do that here. Let us help you do that.”

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Several in attendance said they are involved in mentoring programs with youth. Rev. Michael Bowen talked about his Safe Haven Center that works with those leaving prison and on parole. The organization started 25 years ago when three young men living on the same block in Selma were killed by gun violence in a short period. Those with his organization expressed interest in expanding services to work with more youth.

A woman resident complained about the lack of response from Selma police when she calls to report gunfire. With Manns’ urging, she agreed to be a community liaison to the police department and to build a relationship with officers to get an improved response.

Joyce O’Neal, who walked to the podium using a red cane, had several harrowing stories of gunfights outside her house and getting no police response. One night, she heard machinegun fire in her front yard outside her kitchen window while doing the dishes. When she called police, they said it would end soon. She went to watch TV in her lounge chair, and the gunfire started back. To protect herself, she slid out of the chair to the floor, but then she couldn’t get back up and needed help.

In another incident last May, she watched a car pull into her driveway and shoot into the house next door. When gunfire erupted another time while she was in bed, she said she just put a pillow over her head to drown out the sound.

“I’m concerned about what is causing the gunfire,” she said. “This is a generation we’re losing. They need to know we love them and see them. That they’re not just a statistic but flesh and blood. … It behooves all of us to reach out and touch young people so they know they’re loved.”

O’Neal wasn’t finished. “We’re failing our young people. We need to start giving them what they need. See them for what their potential is. They have every right in this world to live free and not behind bars.”

O’Neal attends Brown Chapel next to GWC Homes and said the parishioners hear gunfire during services. They don’t hold Bible studies or choir rehearsal at night anymore because “it’s not safe.”

Mayor Perkins said his church, Ebenezer Missionary, has a STEM program for youth. He also said the issue with gun violence is prevalent in other cities, not just Selma. He said the city has added lights across the city. And he has recommended raising ad valorum taxes to pay for more services, including public safety, but the city council won’t advance the referendum for voters to decide.

Perkins outlined an issue with getting a response from police, including how it took over a year for Selma City Schools to get school resource officers to help on campuses. He also said the council defunded the recreation department, which is why there aren’t youth sports options.

Perkins said parents need to be more engaged and take teens to programs that will keep them busy and challenged. He also thanked Manns for hosting the forum, saying it was a “healthy debate.”

Perkins added that he is not immune from gunfire in Selma. His house has bullet holes in it, too. Selma police even recovered a bullet from his house, but he never heard back about the results.

“And I’m the mayor!” Perkins said. “So I understand what’s going on.”

City Council President Billy Young said his house also has a bullet hole and called it his “hood tax” for living in the city. He also said the council has approved “90% of the mayor’s items.”

Young said he has been involved in many mentoring programs with young people and seen it be successful. He urged more men to sign up to mentor.