ST. LOUIS — President Donald Trump met a community leader who constantly fights crime in St. Louis.
Efforts to stop gun violence in St. Louis is on the federal government's radar and it's bringing even more attention to the gun de-escalation centers in north St. Louis city and county.
James Clark is now sharing these crime prevention techniques at the 2018 Project Safe Neighborhoods National Conference with federal, state and local law enforcement from all over the country.
Clark received an award at the conference for his work fighting crime in St. Louis. The conference is hosted by the Justice Department in Kansas City this year.
Clark is encouraging community leaders to use gun-violence de-escalation centers to prevent crime. He said they give people a place to talk to counselors and work out their problems without turning to gun violence.
President Trump spoke at the Project Safe Neighborhoods National Conference about ways to stop crime.
President Trump recognized people for their hard work preventing and stopping crime. The president mentioned James Clark several times in his speech to the crowd.
Trump said, “James Clark, with the Better Family Life Initiative is here as well. Thank you very much James. James works with schools, family members to de-escalate conflict and stop violence before it happens. A very dangerous thing he does. But he’s not afraid. It’s just a day in the office.”
Clark said he appreciated the speech and all the efforts to stop crime, including helping ex-offenders find jobs and housing and helping women who have been victims of abuse.
Clark said he works he currently works with 12 trained outreach workers who are familiar with the challenged neighborhoods to prevent crimes. Clark said he would like to work with 50 outreach workers.
He said that would be a big help. He also said it’s time to go to the front porches and living rooms of people who live in challenged neighborhoods to assess their needs, whether that treatment for addiction or help living in poverty-stricken conditions.
