Knoxville gears up to tackle the scourge of youth violence with a week-long series of events and engagements starting April 22, in observance of National Youth Violence Prevention Week. As reported by the City of Knoxville, the city's Office of Community Safety and Empowerment, alongside various partners, will be at the forefront of these initiatives crafted to spotlight the complexities of youth violence and the community's fight against it.

The festivities kick-off on April 21 with a gathering at Ashley Nicole Dream Playground from 2 to 5 p.m., offering free food, music, and activities for local families, in addition to connecting them with resource providers ranging from faith leaders to social agencies involved deeply in the strife against such violence. Star Starks, Partnerships and Programs Coordinator, stressed the significance of multifaceted approaches to this issue, stating "Organizations don't solely have to focus on youth to combat youth violence," and emphasizing that the problem is one with many facets thus demanding a broad array of solutions, per the City of Knoxville.

The overarching strategy orchestrated by the Office of Community Safety and Empowerment which is overseen by Chief Community Safety and Empowerment Officer LaKenya Middlebrook, extends to include violence interruption strategies, the promotion of safer neighborhoods through innovation and improved collaboration between city departments, and nurturing relationships with local actors and grassroots organizations keenly pursuing Knoxville's safety.