Community Events Draws Families in Effort to Reduce Crime in the City - The Vindicator


The “South Side Summer Experience” series of family-focused neighborhood events had its eighth iteration of the season tonight, drawing scores of South Siders out to share food, listen to music and play games.

Victoria Allen, the director of the ICU Blockwatch, said the event is a partnership between the neighborhood group and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.

“We do this because we want to engage our neighbors and improve the quality of life in our neighborhood,” Allen said. “We don’t just want people to come out and drop off their kids. We want to spend time with everyone and have fun together.”

David Perry, who lives in the neighborhood, saw the event, which featured a large bounce castle as well as a DJ and grilled food for everyone participating, while he was driving by and asked his 3-year-old daughter Danyla if she wanted to go.

“I saw the sign that said it was open to everyone, so we decided to stop for a bit,” Perry said.

The events are part of the efforts by the YNDC to address crime in the surrounding neighborhoods. To read the full story from The Vindicator, click here.