TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County commissioners approved a proposal to give $100,000 to the Allen Temple AME Church to start a juvenile mentoring program to reach at-risk youth.
Senior Pastor Glenn Dames of Allen Temple AME Church said it’s his mission to reduce youth crime in the community.
“Let's be honest, there's an uptick,” Rev. Dames said.
He said the way to reduce crime is to reach kids before the juvenile justice system ever gets involved. With funding from the county, Pastor Dames is hoping to expand their program.
“What we see is kids emulating and imitating others but also, we see kids wanting to belong,” Dames said.
Dames said other organizations and churches are also involved in his mission to mentor kids.
“They can make it because these other folk have made it and came from the same neighborhoods that they come from,” he said.
Atia Johnson lives near the church. She said that’s one way to address the problem, but said crime victims need more help.
Johnson and her son have been in hiding since the 11-year-old was shot outside their home last Sunday.
She said the county should have more resources for victims.
“There's literally no program that assists in emergency relocation of minor victims of gun violence,” Johnson said.
Tampa Police are still looking for the shooter. She said her son is afraid to go home, so they've been at hotels and with family because there are no other options.
“It's been a week; I’ve been on the phone and calling and trying this is the seventh day and I have not found one,” Johnson said.
She wants the county to step up and address the entire issue of crime from both sides.
“When you could sign a check for $100,000 for something that you feel may possibly help, but you know you could've offered a hotel room for a kid that's traumatized that would've absolutely helped that would go so much further to me,” she said.
Johnson said that the bullet went through her son's arm and out through his back. She said he's with her now recovering.
Tampa police said if you have any information about this shooting that happened on Feb. 11 at the C. Blythe Andrews apartment complex to give Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay a call at 800-873-TIPS.