Los Angeles – Assemblymember Curren Price (D-Inglewood) announced that attendance was high and people were hopeful at his Public Safety and Youth Violence Prevention Summit on Saturday, June 2nd at the Los Angeles Southwest College.

“We must work together today with the resources available to create a better and more prosperous tomorrow,” said Assemblymember Price. “Our children must be able to walk to school in safety, and our businesses need to be able to stay open without fear. We cannot enjoy any prosperity or success until our streets are safe.”

Panelist speakers at this event included: the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety, Jose Solorio; Reverend Leonard Jackson, Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Linda Broadous Miles, Executive Director of the Al Wooten, Jr. Heritage Center; Chief Apostle Michael Rowles, Pastor of Wrecking Crew for Christ Holiness Church in South Los Angeles and former gang member; and Dr. Joseph Marshall, co-founder and Executive Director of the Omega Boys Club/Street Soldiers.

Many neighborhood activists and concerned citizens attended, and kept the conversation lively and engaging. After the summit, animated conversations continued into the parking lot as people walked to their cars while still discussing the subjects that were raised. Resources from funding for youth mentoring to organizations with programs in place to discourage youth violence were presented.  Former gang members were present and described the thoughts and events that made them personally decide to change the way that they lived their lives.

Assemblymember Price said, “I believe that we have only just begun the all- inclusive dialogue on gang violence and public safety that needs to take place before positive change can occur.”

Price urged all neighbors to attend and participate in this and in every event that he holds.

Assemblymember Curren Price serves the 51st Assembly District, which includes Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Playa Vista, Westchester, Lawndale, West Athens, Lennox, Alondra Park, West Compton, Del Aire, and Willowbrook, as well as portions of the unincorporated area of Ladera.