<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=01nmp6_0wDx7HDU00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=01nmp6_0wDx7HDU00" width="1320" height="743" >Saturday, a 'Stop the Violence' walk and summit was held at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church to encourage effective and progressive conversations about combating violence and aiding the youth.This comes nearly one month after the deadly mass shooting in Birmingham's 5-Points South.Conversation topic's ranged from mental health, gun laws, parenting and social media.Panelist's included Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway, Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond, Jefferson County Family Court Referee Amyrtle Allen, Birmingham Councilor Crystal Smitherman, Birmingham City School's Principal Dr. Melvin Love, Carroll Catholic High School Principal Ronald Steele, and Sixth Avenue Baptist Church Pastor, Dr. John L. Cantelow III.They each shared the issues and situations they see and address daily, as well as necessary next steps and intervention."As we heard on the panel, a lot of times you'll see a lot of young people-- they may not be per-say bad but, they need guns because everybody else has them." Said Councilor Smitherman."I think by teaching young people that, you can resolve a conflict without guns, you can use your words and be able to de-escalate the situation, she added.Panelists stressed the need for parental involvement, and mental health resources.Many also noted there are systemic issues that contribute to violence.Jefferson county sheriff Mark Pettway noted that gangs are increasingly becoming an issue across the county."These are different types of gangs that are popping up, they're younger--and they do not have what you looked at before in the past, that's leadership." Said Pettway."They are glorified by social media, they put everything out on social media. They show the guns, they show the money," he added.Following the panel, those in attendance had the opportunity to take their concerns directly to their local leaders and ask questions.I spoke with Dena Dickerson, who stood to share her thoughts. Following the event, she shared what she would like to see."In black history, community has always been our solution, and we've just got to get back to that. Everybody's staying in their own lane, people are afraid...[but] we need to adopt a block, adopt a family, and take our communities back...We're going to do that with love, and intentionality, and in unity," said Dickerson.Panelists say they look forward to having more constructive conversations about what can be done to combat violence.</div></body>

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'These are a different type of gangs:' Jefferson county leaders discuss violence solutions

Saturday, a 'Stop the Violence' walk and summit was held at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church to encourage effective and progressive conversations about combating violence and aiding the youth. This comes nearly one month after the deadly mass shooting in Birmingham's 5-Points South. Conversation topic's ranged from mental health, gun laws,...