CLEVELAND, Ohio-The Safety Unit, a program aimed at preventing youth crime, is expanding into Cleveland’s Central neighborhood after Labor Day. It will work closely with East Tech High School students. The initiative comes in response to rising violence, as highlighted by a recent gas station shootout. Brenda Newsome, whose sons are involved in the program, has noticed positive changes at home and is motivated by concerns over gun violence in Cleveland. The program is intended to help youth like her children, who are affected by the city’s violence. Kareem Smith, a victim of gun violence himself, underscores the program’s importance. The Safety Unit previously held a summer boot camp in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood.
