King City brings in program to bring down youth violence

King City is trying to curb youth violence, and they’re starting at a young age.

It’s a comprehensive plan from a group called Pro-Youth geared towards at-risk children ages kindergarten to third grade. the goal of king city’s new after-school program is to steer kids away from gangs and a possibly violent future. It does that by engaging them in recreational and scholastic activities right after school. King City’s Police Chief Robert Masterson says between 3-6pm is the most dangerous time for at-risk youth, and keeping them busy has proven to make a difference. The program includes tutoring, mentoring, and even a free, healthy meal.

“Get them young, teach them how to read, tutor them in their other scholastic aptitudes, and then hopefully we can give them a firm foundation to succeed in life,” said King City Police Chief, Robert Masterson.

“We’re tired of the gang violence, we’re tired of the shootings and this never ending cycle. These are programs and strategies designed to break that cycle,” said King City Mayor, Mike LaBarre.

The program begins on the first day of classes in king city and will cost roughly one-thousand dollars per child for the school year. Currently, enough money has been raised for two to three hundred kids to attend.

Chief Masterson says one study shows children who can’t read at a third grade level by third grade have a 70% greater chance of ending up in jail. Another reason he says the pro-youth program is so important.