Mayoral candidate Reed searches for ways to curb youth crime

By ERIC STIRGUS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta mayoral candidate Kasim Reed on Wednesday announced an effort to reach out to the city's youth in the wake of rising concerns about gang violence and juvenile delinquency.

Reed said he recently met with reformed gang members to get their thoughts and will have more conversations with them and others in the coming weeks privately and at a town hall meeting next month.

Reed, 40, a Democratic state senator from southwest Atlanta, also reiterated his pledge to reopen about two-dozen recreation centers that have been closed due to budget cuts.

"We have to show these (young) people a better way," said Reed.

Atlanta police Chief Richard Pennington recently announced he was quadrupling the size of its gang task force from six to 24 officers. Pennington and Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard have said gangs have become better organized, have more lethal weapons and are more violent.

Reed discussed his plan during a news conference where former mayor, civil rights pioneer and former U.S. ambassador Andrew Young endorsed the candidate. Young said Reed "understands politics better than anyone in the race."