Bronx councilman pushes youth employment in response to gang violence

March 12-- Mar. 12--A Bronx councilman has come up with what he says is a can't-miss answer to gang violence in his beleaguered community -- a job.

Councilman Ritchie Torres will introduce legislation Wednesday to guarantee year-round employment to youth across the city.

A job remains the best insurance policy against poverty or violence," Torres told the Daily News. "Every young person who needs or wants a job should be able to get one, period."

Torres said the jobs bill is inspired by the death of Lesandro (Junior) Guzman-Feliz, who was hacked and stabbed to death outside a Bronx bodega in a caught-on-video attack that shocked the city.

Authorities said members of the Trinitarios gang dragged the 15-year-old victim from the Bathgate Avenue store June 20, 2018 in what they said was a case of mistaken identity.

Torres said a lack of resources allows gangs to thrive, and said after-school and summer jobs would keep many young people off the streets.

Under the legislation, the city would form partnerships with local business owners, and provide jobs to city residents between the ages of 14 through 21 in accordance with state labor laws. The bill also seeks additional funding for the city's Department of Youth and Community Services, which would administer the program.

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