Young man tries to make change in Northeast

In the past few months the Northeast side of town has seen a rise in violence.

Shootings and stabbings have left young men dead, kids fatherless and families mourning.

Now one young man is trying to create a movement and create positive change.

Shawn Nixon,17, lost a friend who was stabbed to death. He’s seen family members fall victim to violence.

Now Nixon says something needs to be done and says it can only be done through unity.

In the heart of the Northeast there’s a little church. It’s not fancy it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles and quite frankly on Wednesday there wasn’t many people but what this group does have is heart for the people in their community.

After the recent string of stabbings and shootings Nixon feels something needs to be done.

“I want people to understand that we are not in this alone and we have community members that are willing to step up and help out,” said Nixon.

“I’m comfortable here. This is my home,” said Maurice Noble.

Noble attended the meeting. He was recently attacked in downtown and had to be hospitalized. He was there to speak to the youth.

“He had a shotgun, a sawed-off shotgun and he actually pulled it out(and) hit me with it and when he hit me with it in the head it went off,” said Noble

Commander for the Northeast regional Command Zina Silva also attended the meeting. She said statistically, the Northeast is safer now than
last year but agrees with Nixon that community involvement is crucial.

“I live here. I work here. My mom is here so it’s as important to me that we’re safe and for me to make sure you’re safe,” said Silva.

Some say the Northeast gets a bad rap but at Nations Tobin Park, youths are learning, playing and flourishing alongside parents and coaches.

Many agree with Nixon that during these times unity is the best solution.

“Although there are not a lot of people here, they are organized, they are moving, they are very positive people who are concerned about the impact, if gone unchecked how this crime can impact them,” said community member Sam Morgan.

As for Nixon, he’s not just thinking about today but also the next generation.

“We need to make this a better community to live in, to make it a safer place for people to have kids, and we want this community to be the No. 1 city,” said Nixon.

Nixon will be holding another community meeting at Northeast Bible Fellowship Church on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.