AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/drugs/)
On the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti and state Rep. La Shawn Ford discussed the ongoing epidemic, which has hit Austin and other parts of Chicago’s West Side especially hard.
A former gang member hopes to help others by sharing his past troubles.
The community is invited to the July 25 premiere at Sankofa Cultural Arts & Business Center, 5820 W. Chicago.
Residents like Terry and Lee Redmond as well as the Central Austin Neighborhood Association and New Life Community Church work on beautifying the West Side.
Columnist John Fountain III. reflects on some of his own decisions and the situations he’s witnessed counseling adolescents and adults.
Local leaders and advocates talk about solutions to the problems behind the violence plaguing the West Side. Some say building hope – like youth centers and community gardens – is a step toward finding peace.
Data showing inequities in the number of police dispatched prompted a lawsuit against the city, but residents have not seen improvements.
James Deanes asks why young people are allowed to loiter and urges residents to take a stand against it.
Issuing tickets would allow police to focus more time on violent offenders and generate up to $7 million in revenue for the city.
Columnist John Fountain writes about teenage pregnancy, personal accountability and the need for better parenting.