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Activists Look for Solutions to Teen Violence

Christopher Blank

Youth advocate Stevie Moore hopes that community leaders follow through on promises following recent teen violence.

In the wake of teen violence on Sept. 6 at Poplar Plaza, community leaders and law enforcement held meetings this week to address concerns. The Memphis Police Department says that its targeting hot spots of crime, and that the crime rate has lowered even in the past several weeks.

But activists like Stevie Moore say that law enforcement isn't enough. Criminal behavior has to be addressed as a long-term social problem. His own group, Freedom From Unnecessary Negatives (FFUN), is one of several nonprofits dedicated to working with children before they see crime as an option.

Reporting from the gates of Graceland to the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Christopher has covered Memphis news, arts, culture and politics for more than 20 years in print and on the radio. He is currently WKNO's News Director and Senior Producer at the University of Memphis' Institute for Public Service Reporting. Join his conversations about the Memphis arts scene on the WKNO Culture Desk Facebook page.