White Plains CitizeNetReporter - 80 Teens Advise Mayor on Concerns. Mayor's Blueprint for Youth in Preparation

Eighty high school students from the city's high schools, public and private, advised Mayor Joseph Delfino on areas of concern they have about life for teens in the city at the Mayor's Conference for Youth Thursday. Violence, Employment, Police Youth Relations, Activities cited as concerns.

The Youth Bureau moved to Eastview School this week and is unpacking.

White Plains teens got their chance to make their case for their personal needs to the Mayor of White Plains, recreation and police officials and local business representatives Thursday at the Mayor's Conference for Youth held at Pace University, according to Frank Williams, Director of the City Youth Bureau.

Mr. Williams said the youths addressed a blue ribbon task force of community and administration leaders assembled by Mayor Delfino to develop a "Blueprint for Youth in the 21st Century in White Plains."

Police View of Youth Questioned. Jobs, Violence, Activities other Concerns

Williams said the primary complaint the youth in attendance voiced was their perception of being harrassed by the White Plains Police. Williams reported that many teens in attendance noted that police move the youth along in White Plains and view them with suspicion.

WPCNR notes this is not without good intentions. The White Plains Police routinely monitor groups of youth on street corners, in parking lots or congregating on the streets at night for the teens' own protection because it has been police experience that violence sometimes erupts as a result of this typical "hanging out." As a reporter who was a teenager himself once, who had a tendency to hang-out, things happen at night when teens hangout. The police are aware of this, too.

Teens attending the conference expressed concern about teen violence, availability of employment for teenagers, and the lack of teen activities.

IBM Vice President Addresses Them About Careers

Mr. Williams reported that Ted Childs, a Vice President of IBM spoke to the attending teens about preparation for careers and was well received.

Crossection of City School Representatives Speak their Minds

According to Williams, teens from city schools included students from Good Counsel, White Plains High School, Archbishop Stepinac, The Community School, and Iona Prep.

The community task force assembled by Mayor Delfino will be preparing the "Blueprint for Youth" based on the teen comments within the next two months, Williams said.

Youth Bureau Moves.

Mr. Williams reports that the White Plains Youth Bureau has officially moved to its new quarters at Eastview School, and says boxes were being unpacked Friday.


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