On Saturday, October 18, the 6th YouthAlert! (YA!) event will take place at the Main Library in downtown Louisville. The event is a six hour long forum and is free and open to the public. The event is set to take place from 10am-4pm.
This free event is a violence prevention initiative out forth by YouthAlert. YouthAlert is a group dedicated to putting forth the message that youth and adults can and should meet halfway to reduce violence in their communities. At this event, you will encounter youth violence prevention programming, guest speakers talking about how to equally reduce all violence, youth health advocates and adult and youth panels will join the discussion as well. YouthAlert wants you to be involved, to come, be peaceful, and let your voice be heard.
According to some statistics provided by YouthAlert, time is of the essence to fight violence throughout the city and the state:
“Violent crimes were reported at their highest level ever in the last three years in our great Commonwealth with
- 35,412 violent offenses in 2013
- 36,956 violent offenses in 2012
- 37,467 violent offenses in 2011
In 2013 in Kentucky, homicide offenses were committed every 34 hours and 54 minutes while in 2010 murder was committed every 48 hours and 40 minutes. In 2013 in Kentucky forcible sexual offenses were committed every 1 hour and 57 minutes while in 2010 in Kentucky rape was committed every 5 hours and 40 minutes. In 2013 there were 204,733 serious crimes committed in Kentucky. In 2010 there were 121,289 serious crimes in Kentucky. (Source: Kentucky State Police Crime in Kentucky Reports). Nationwide, over 50% of violence acts are not reported to police.”
The event will take place Saturday, October 18, 10am-4pm in the Centennial Room of the Louisville Free Public Library, Main Library located at 301 York Street. The event is free and you can register for free by emailing reserve@YouthAlert.us. There will also be free door prizes and a free lunch provided to those in attendance. Seating is limited so you are encouraged to make a free reservation. See their website for more information. Find them on Facebook and Twitter as well.
Images courtesy of www.youthalert.us
