Youth violence addressed by outraged residents, local leaders at North Shore community meeting

By Shaina McLawrence

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— As Staten Islanders come to grips with a series of recent youth fatalities, community members, interfaith and local leaders, along with elected representatives on the state and city level met at PS 57 to discuss steps that could be taken to sheathe the sword of violence in the communities of Stapleton and Park Hill.

The suggestions range from added resources in schools to opening new community centers.

The meeting was attended in part by New York State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn); PS 57 Principal Karyn Singleton; Rev. Antoinette Donegan, the community coordinator at Central Life Family Center; Mike Perry, a city-funded violence interrupter and project manager of True2Life Staten Island; Minister Robert Perkins and dozens of other community stalwarts.

Here’s a look at three ideas North Shore community members and leaders suggested at the meeting.

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