Florida International University

In response to an increase in youth-related violence in the inner-city, the Safe Summer Coalition will host a teen summit Friday, June 4, at 6 p.m. at Charles Hadley Park, 1300 NW 50th St.
The summit gives teens an open platform to speak about the wave of youth violence in the community and offer up solutions. Teens are also expected to discuss the curfew that police began to enforce May 1.

The summit will feature guest speakers in the community including Miami’s own Grammy winning singer, Betty Wright, whose son was shot and killed at an Opa-locka Christmas party in 2005.

The Safe Summer coalition is a multi-agency initiative that includes the City of Miami Police, the District 5 Commissioner’s Office, the City of Miami Community Relations Board and other agencies within the community.

Created in the wake of community backlash regarding the curfew, the coalition seeks to address the concerns of youth and parents regarding violence with a series of safe summer activities, mostly at Charles Hadley Park. The roster of activites includes skating parties, movies and a performance by television star Charles Dutton.

The coalition is spearheaded by City of Miami Police Major, Craig McQueen. Officer McQueen said the events are meant to provide a safe environment for kids to have fun.

“I wanted to give kids a place where they can go and have fun that’s safe; but get them in the house before it gets too dark,” said McQueen.

For more information call 305-603-6095.

TWeat001@Fiu.edu

Below is a list of the scheduled events:

June 4th — Teen Speak Out
Charles Hadley Park,
Black Box Theater
1300 NW 50th Street
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Teen summit for teens to discuss the violence and crime in the community.

June 5th — “Roll, Skate, Bounce”
Charles Hadley Park
1300 NW 50th Street
1:00-5:00 p.m.
Music and entertainment will be provided for teens to come out and have a skate day.

June 18th — Juneteenth Celebration
Little Haiti Cultural Arts Center
212 NE 59th Street
Reception starts at 6:00 p.m.
Program starts at 7:00 p.m.
Charles Dutton, star of the ‘90s
television show “Roc,” will perform
his one-man show “From Jail to Yale… Serving Time on Stage.”

June 26th  – Movie Night
Charles Hadley Park
1300 NW 50th Street
5:00 – 11:00 p.m.
A movie and a second skate day will take place.

July 4th — Fourth of July celebration
Charles Hadley Park
1300 NW 50th Street
1:00 – 9:00 p.m.
The celebration will feature fireworks and music.
 
July 17th – Family Fun Fest
Charles Hadley Park
1300 NW 50th Street
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
The event will include a series of
activities including a “dunk-a-thon” in which police officers will volunteer to be in a dunk pool.
 
August 7th – Teen Court
Charles Hadley Park
1300 NW 50th Street
1:00-5:00 p.m.
The event will feature a mock trial by teens and include attorneys and law enforcement officials.

August 21 — Back to School Event
Charles Hadley Park
1300 NW 54th Street
1:00-5:00 p.m.
The event will feature a book bag
giveaway, free haircuts and immunization shots to help kids transition into the new school year.