Local teens said they have the answers that can help cut down on crime in the community

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Monday was the first state of the youth town hall where youth had a chance to address city leaders, and some said mental health plays a big role in stopping violence.

Quality education, mental health and violence were all at the forefront of the discussion.

Savanna Lenoble is a 10th grade student who suffers from anxiety. She said violence in schools has negatively impacted her mental health.

TRENDING: 

"It’s definitely made it a little harder to focus on school because in the back of my mind I’m thinking what if we have a code red. We now have tape on the floor were we're going to sit in as a daily reminder that there could be someone that comes in and kills me," Lenoble said.

She was one of the panelists Monday night along with nine other students throughout the district voicing their opinions in front of school and city leaders. She said due to monthly active shooter drills known as code red, she hasn’t been able to focus.

Superintendent Dr. Diana Green said it was sad to hear.

"We have many obstacles to overcome we have laws that tell us how we’re supposed to prepare our students for active shooters, and to hear them say that these things provide them anxiety or issues for them it breaks my heart," Green said.

Other students like Vincente Waugh talked about how he would like to see violence handled differently, and he thinks helping teens get access to jobs could potentially cut down on youth crime.

"Violence is something I think hits our community differently because it’s something we try to make a norm when it isn’t a norm," Waugh said.

The event was hosted by U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, who felt it was important to allow students to voice their opinions.

Some other concerns students had included funds being allocated to different schools in the district .Several students also voiced how they felt they were only being taught to pass standardized tests instead of retaining information to make them successful.

As far as the mental health portion of the discussion, the superintendent said they have around 70 mental health professionals throughout the district willing to help any student who needs it.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Cox Media Group