Parents, police target gangs at Mt. Vernon forum

Detective Anthony Mitchell Westchester NBPA Doing

PowerPoint Presentation on Gang information

MOUNT VERNON - Students, parents and law enforcement officers attended a forum to address rising gang activity in the city at Thornton High School yesterday.

The Westchester chapter of the National Black Police Association kicked off its celebration of Police Week with the presentation, titled "Identifying and Addressing Gang Problems in Mount Vernon."

"We are out of touch with our young people," Mount Vernon Detective Anthony Mitchell said. "As parents, we have to get out and do these types of things. We have to express our concerns about what the community is not getting."

Mitchell led the presentation about the signs of gang activity, prevention and how to talk with teens about the issue.

The 10-year veteran detective said youths often join gangs to gain a sense of belonging and protection.

He advised parents to acknowledge any suspicion and become positive role models for their children. Mitchell also advised parents to get to know their child's friends and their parents.
Residents can promote a gang-free neighborhood by getting to know one another and reporting any criminal activity, he said.

"Police don't solve crimes by themselves," Mitchell said.
Freshman Kayla Ortiz, who attended the seminar with her mother, said she learned more about the different types of gang paraphernalia and tactics used to discourage members from leaving a gang.

Ortiz also liked that Mitchell told parents to praise their children for their good deeds.
"It was informing and encouraging," Ortiz said.

Yvonne Johnson, whose daughter attends the high school, said she wanted more informative programs and activities for the youth in Mount Vernon.

"You have to find places for them to go and be involved," she said.
Johnson said the forum helped her learn more about resources in the city and gave her a chance to meet with a representative for the mayor's office.

Tamara Berthaud, a clinical social worker at Thornton and Mount Vernon High, helped coordinate the seminar after polling students on the issues that affect them the most.

"It's important to address the topics and let parents know what's going on," Berthaud said. "There are a lot of issues, and we want that communication between parents and children. They need a lot of support."

Principal Sharon Bradley said the seminar gave parents a chance to share concerns, survey the issues and realize a solution with each other.

"So often, parents are looking for solutions, and they have them but don't even know it," Bradley said. "The more educated we are, the better we can service our children."

The forum about local gang activity was part of a daylong seminar held at Thornton, which included discussions on parent and child communication, teen sex and pregnancy.
Bradley said the school will continue to host programs to focus on the challenging issues teens face.