'We just need to take that little action': Group of teens working toward curbing youth gun violence

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee has seen a staggering number of youth homicides related to gun violence in the last couple of years, three 12-year-olds were shot just this month. A group of about 50 teens is working together to find solutions to remedy youth gun violence in their community.

The group of teens in the YouthWorks program hosted by the Center for Family Preservation has been working on a project all summer long to come up with ideas to combat youth gun violence.

"The root of all this is like some inner emotion or inner anger or grief or pain that some kids learned or were told to not let people see their pain," said 15-year-old Joshua Lyions.

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman said they have seen gun violence trends dip by a small percentage, but this year alone MPD reported 18 youth homicides from January to Oct. 25. That number last year was 16.

"It is really hard to pinpoint what is the real driver in these particular types of situations, the only common denominator is a firearm is involved," said Chief Norman.

Nicole Hayes, just 14 years old, shared one YouthWorks ideas to remedy that issue.

"There are trackers in police guns, so if we could just use that little tactic and put that in all the guns, then maybe we can find a solution to catch those people who are causing gun violence," said Hayes.

Chief Norman said the biggest contributor to youth violence is firearm negligence and he's pleading for gun owners to make sure their guns don't end up in the wrong hands.

Hayes said their work has just begun and they are determined to make a difference in their community.

"We just need to take that little action, we just need to have the courage and the strength and the will to speak out," said Hayes.

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