The Office of the State鈥檚 Attorney for Prince George鈥檚 County hosted its annual 鈥溾�� rally on Thursday evening to get kids on the right path as they kickoff the school year.
鈥淲e send a strong message against gun violence, but we also give people hope and opportunity,” said state’s attorney for the county Aisha Braveboy.
The event was much more than just a back-to-school rally. There was music, food and games, but the event also offered job service providers, education resources, rehabilitation resources and mental health resources to the community at large.
鈥淥ur police department, our sheriff’s department, they鈥檙e out here recruiting,” attorney Braveboy said. “We鈥檝e got the American Jobs Department, and other employers saying 鈥榟ey, we want to employ you,鈥欌�� she added.
The state’s attorney said the event, which was first held in 2020, is part of a larger initiative that has reduced crime numbers in the county this summer.
鈥淭his really is a wholistic way to address the issue of crime in our community,鈥� she told 草莓传媒. “It’s an opportunity for our young people to get it right this year: to go to school, to get good grades. And if they need help, we鈥檝e got resources here to assist them.鈥�
Braveboy said the common thread among many in attendance at Thursday evening’s rally was tragedy, specifically from being involved 鈥� or knowing someone who was a victim of 鈥� gun violence.
鈥淲e want to reduce the number of tragic incidents that lead to that level of grief in our community,鈥� she told 草莓传媒.
鈥淲e need to let folks know that guns on the street is not the way,” added Md. State Delegate Nick Charles, who also serves as chairman for the Prince George’s house delegation and vice chair of the Democratic caucus. “We need to be making sure the kids know it鈥檚 not the way to focus on crime like they have been,” he said.
“The children of this county are our future, Charles added. “We need to show them that it starts right here in the community, and that everyone is taking the issue of crime very seriously, from our police to our elected officials.”
Charles said crime is happening across the D.C. area, not just in Prince George’s County. “But all we can do here is our job for our youth,” he added.
鈥淪ince we started this event, the community has responded and it鈥檚 really been beautiful,” Braveboy said. “Having this level of community engagement is key to creating safe communities here in Prince George鈥檚 County.鈥�
