Howard County Council candidates for the District 2 seat varied on how they would address the problem of gangs and youth violence at a candidate?s forum Saturday.
Republican Gina Gabrielle Ellrich said schools should help youths deal with tough issues.
“It?s about getting to our children early, talking about crime and drugs early,” she said.
She recomended a heightened presence of police officers in residential areas.
“We should have neighborhood police officers that are known and recognized,” she said.
Democrat Calvin Ball, who was appointed recently to the District 2 seat, touted his three terms on the Oakland Mills Village Board, and his service as the community developement officer for Oakland Mills, in which he oversaw a safety committee.
He said he would support youth programs to ensure a nurturing environment for children.
“Why are children joining these gangs? We need to make sure they know they are accepted,” he said.
Democrat Adam Sachs said he would look to the community for help fighting youth crime.
“My role would be to ask residents what they need to fight this,” he said.
Sachs said he would support mentoring, tutoring and after-school programs.
“Teen Time is so important to the kids,” Sachs said, referring to the youth-outreach program held at East Columbia Library, which provides a supportive social environment and educational assistance to teens.
The forum was sponsored by African Americans in Howard County, which aims to work with leaders and the public on issues related to local blacks and the poor.
