![Duane Deskins, head of the youth violence office, introduces plan at an event in Collinwood. [Matt Richmond / ideastream]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dfde7ea/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1592+0+0/resize/840x446!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F10%2F25%2Fdeskins_youth_web.jpg)
One of the new offices created in the City of Cleveland, with the passage of an income tax increase last year, is focused on addressing violence by young people.
During an event at Collinwood Recreation Center Wednesday, the head of the new youth office and the deputy chief of police flanked Mayor Jackson. They were there to draw attention to the mayor’s plan for combating violence which he introduced back in May. It involves counseling, economic development, education reform, special police units and data gathering.
An audience member, after the presentation, asked how are they going to stop the shootings and Jackson replied:
“Well that’s what this is about, this is about how do you address shootings and youth violence and use of guns and that violence," said Jackson.
Jackson is facing a re-election challenge from City Councilman Zack Reed, whose campaign has focused on public safety and the hiring of hundreds of new police officers. Jackson stressed Wednesday a wider approach and didn’t mention hiring more officers.
