Mayor Freddie O'Connell has appointed Phyllis Hildreth to lead Nashville's new Office of Youth Safety, effective May 12. Hildreth, with expertise in education, juvenile justice, and conflict management, will oversee efforts to address youth safety. The initiative focuses on prevention and conflict resolution, separate from traditional law enforcement approaches. Hildreth will "pilot, assess, and promote programming to prevent conflicts from escalating into gun violence" and implement conflict resolution training for youth, as reported by the Mayor's Office.
Hildreth was elected to lead the Office of Youth Safety, following input from Nashville's youth. This decision aligns with Mayor O'Connell's Executive Order 53, which calls for a data-driven approach to guide public investments in violence prevention. Hildreth’s role includes developing safer community practices to reduce youth involvement with the criminal justice system and "develop relationships with leaders of existing restorative justice initiatives," according to the Mayor's Office. These actions aim to improve community safety and understanding.
Metro Council Budget & Finance Chair Delishia Porterfield, Juvenile Court Clerk Lonnell Matthews, and community partners have worked together to support the creation of the Office of Youth Safety. The Mayor has acknowledged their collaboration. Hildreth, who holds a degree from Harvard and a Masters in Conflict Management from Lipscomb, is set to lead Nashville's youth safety efforts, as stated by the Mayor's Office.
