The public is invited to an evening of focused conversation with national and local experts, community leaders and involved citizens about the growing problem of gang violence in the Puget Sound region.

The event continues the tradition of The Thomas C. Wales Foundation in convening symposia to engage the community in discussing important public issues.

This event is free of charge.

Questions to be discussed include:

How big is the gang problem in Puget Sound? Is this a local, regional or national problem?

How are local, state and federal law enforcement organizations addressing the gang problem?

What approaches to prevention and intervention have been attempted? What works, what doesn’t?

What are schools and community organizations doing to prevent youth involvement in gangs?

City Council member Tim Burgess will introduce the distinguished speakers, including the keynote speaker, The Hon. Richard A. Jones, United States District Court. Enrique Cerna of KCTS 9 Connects will then guide a conversation among distinguished and knowledgeable panelists about how our community can come together to best address this important problem.

Other attendees include:

Eleuthera Lisch, Program Director, YMCA Alive and Free/Street Soldiers

Sid Sidorowicz, Strategic Advisor, Office for Education, City of Seattle

Dennis Turner, Building the Bridges, Tacoma

Lieutenant Ronald Wilson, Gang Unit Commander, Seattle Police Department

Phelan Wyrick, Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Department of Justice/Office of Justice Programs