Crime affects all of our citizens, but Florida's African American communities are disproportionately impacted. Offenses committed by African Americans are often committed against other African Americans, and unfortunately innocent bystanders—including children—are sometimes caught in the crossfire.
The key to preventing crime involves assisting and working with our children. For example, it is increasingly common for gangs to recruit children to become members, starting a life of crime before they have even left middle school. We must teach our children how to resist the negative influences in their lives and provide opportunities to participate in all that is positive.
Meaningful solutions to this dilemma will only come with the support and involvement of government, the private sector and community organizations in partnership with the African American community. To start developing those partnerships, my office's annual “Preventing Crime in the Black Community Conference” was held in Jacksonville this week. It encompassed the voices of community leaders, faith-based organizations, prevention and intervention groups, educators and law enforcement as they work together on a common goal—reducing crime in Florida's communities.
I am proud of the efforts we are making to make our communities safer for our children and to keep our African American youth out of the criminal justice system.