Mayor Andy Berke established a Citizen Safety Coalition on April 22, to find ways to engage individuals within neighborhoods to foster strong, stable relationships as well as recommend tactics for keeping young men and women out of trouble, especially during the summer months. Since that time, over 125 people have signed up to be a part of the Coalition, which is co-chaired by Bishop Kevin Adams of Olivet Baptist Church and Dr.
Charles Mitchell, vice principal of Brainerd High School.
On Thursday, the Citizen Safety Coalition announced their partnership with the City’s YFD Department on Operation SAFETY, the first of several tactics to help address youth violence through safe summer activities, as well as an online Community Questionnaire to learn more about the challenges faced in Chattanooga.
“As we have more young people out of school, with less to do, we must ensure we are providing safe activities to keep them engaged and out of trouble, ” said Mayor Berke. “After conversations with coalition members and community leaders, I’m pleased to see the Citizen Safety Coalition partnering with YFD to move this initiative forward and finding ways to engage even more citizens.”
Through Operation SAFETY, free summer activities will be organized to provide positive opportunities for students. In addition, Operation SAFETY is providing a collaborative online calendar as one central place to access information on summer activities across the city.
Along with Operation SAFETY, the Citizen Safety Coalition asks Chattanoogans to share their thoughts on how to make Chattanooga safe for all residents and encourages more Chattanoogans to get involved in building a stronger community.
“If everyone did a little bit, we all together can get a whole lot done,” said Bishop Adams, co-chair of the Citizens Safety Coalition.
Co-Chair Dr. Charles Mitchell echoed these sentiments, advocating for more community members to get work together on finding solutions.
“Growing up as a young person in poverty in East Chattanooga, I have always believed ‘where there is no vision, the people perish’. The hour has come for all that live in this city to be bold, to fight for a cause that is bigger than ourselves,” said Dr. Mitchell. “Any person in Chattanooga has the opportunity to be a part of a cause that is bigger than themselves by joining the safety coalition, mentoring a young person, supporting summer programs and much more. By coming together, we will help turn the tide in this battle and provide vision and hope to our youths and the next generation to come.”
Parents, guardians, and young people are encouraged to visit Chattanooga.gov/summer to view the calendar and sign up for updates. Included on the calendar are positive and fun programs for all ages, provided by organizations that are dedicated to the safety and well-being of Chattanooga’s youth. Interested individuals can also text FUN SUMMER to 97779 to receive text updates.
Any organization that wishes to participate can submit events to the summer calendar by clicking here.
For more information about the services offered through Chattanooga’s YFD Department, visit www.chattanooga.gov/youthandfamily.
Citizens are encouraged to visit http://connect.chattanooga.gov/safe/ideas/ and share feedback. To participate in the Citizen Safety Coalition, visit http://connect.chattanooga.gov/safe/.