FORT WORTH, Texas —
In a new effort to combat youth violence, leaders of a Fort Worth program are fast-tracking the rollout of an initiative.
It’s called the "One Second Collaborative," a partnership between the Fort Worth Police Department, the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County and United Way.
During a city council work session Tuesday, Regina Williams, executive vice president of United Way of Tarrant County, announced the program will launch this summer. The summer launch is around six months sooner than initially planned.
“This is where we make sure that we have neighbors and community members involved in the steering committee,” Williams said. “We already know with the latest happening in our community, particularly with Paschal students, it’s about doing the work.”
Last week, two teenage students at Paschal High School were shot by several suspects outside of a Whataburger on West Berry Street. Zechariah Trevino, 17, died.
According to data provided by Fort Worth PD, Trevino was the eighth teenager who died by homicide in Fort Worth since the start of the new year.
During the meeting, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Angelica Ramsey took a moment to address the deadly shooting.
“We have issues across town,” Ramsey said. “The cooperation and partnership that Chief Noakes has had with us has been extraordinary. Immediately Friday night I had spoken to him.”
The "One Second Collaborative" aims to have an evidence-based approach to addressing youth violence through unification and coordination of numerous community-based organizations. Organizations will be involved with street outreach, education, counseling, life coaching and other supportive measures to help young people facing hardship.
Fort Worth PD Executive Assistant Chief Robert Alldredge said the program is about creating a safer environment for kids.
“We don’t want to see anybody injured,” Alldredge said. “We know that police can’t arrest their way out of these problems, and we need other programs and initiatives to help us out with that.”