Fort Worth launches new initiative to prevent youth violence

FORT WORTH, Texas –

In a new effort to tackle youth violence, leaders Fort Worth the program accelerates the deployment of the initiative.

It’s called the “One Second Collaborative,” a partnership between the Fort Worth Police Department, the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, and United Way.

During a city council meeting on Tuesday, Regina Williams, Tarrant County’s executive vice president of United Way announced that the program will launch this summer. The summer launch will take place about six months earlier than originally planned.

“Here we make sure our neighbors and community members are on the steering committee,” Williams said. “We already know that recent developments in our community, especially with Easter students, require work to be done.”

Last week, two teenagers from Easter High School were shot dead by several suspects outside of Whataburger on West Berry Street. Zechariah Trevino, aged 17, died.

According to information provided by the Fort Worth Police, Trevino was the eighth teenager to die in a murder in Fort Worth since the beginning of the new year.

During the meeting, Fort Worth ISD superintendent Angelica Ramsey took a moment to talk about the fatal shooting.

“We have problems all over the city,” Ramsey said. “Chief Noakes’ collaboration and partnership with us has been extraordinary. I spoke to him immediately on Friday evening.”

The One Second Collaborative aims to take an evidence-based approach to combating youth violence by bringing together and coordinating numerous community organizations. Organizations will be involved in street work, training, counseling, life coaching and other support measures to help young people facing difficulties.

Fort Worth Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Robert Aldredge said the program aims to create a safer environment for children.

“We don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Aldridge said. “We We know that the police cannot arrest their way out of these problems, and we need other programs and initiatives to help us with this.”