"Choose Peace" Initiative To Fight Crime

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Orlando police and city officials gathered this morning to kick off a new public safety campaign -- called "Choose Peace" -- targeting youth and young adults.

Officials plan to saturate the city with thousands of posters depicting the new logo. Local radio stations, businesses and faith-based leaders are among the city's partners for the initiative.

In recent years, police saw an increase in violent crime during the summer when youths are not in school. Sixty-three percent of the suspects in last year's homicides were 25 years old or younger.

"This generation is the generation who has the potential to turn things around and save our nation," Police Chief Val Demings said. "But they cannot do it from the grave or from a jail cell."

Officials are hoping people will remember the message and make the right choices.

"The power of words . . . you cannot underestimate that," Demings said.

Officials also plan to distribute yellow wristbands with the message at community events.

Mayor Buddy Dyer, who spoke as a large billboard displaying the new logo was unveiled, said he hopes the "Choose Peace" initiative will unite and start a community-wide conversation.

"We must work to prevent crime," Dyer said.

He wants the message to remind people that they have a choice: "A choice of what kind of person they want to be. A choice about the consequences of their actions. A choice that won't lead them to a life behind bars."

Did You Know?

• People of all walks of life are affected by violence
• Victims are men and women, young and old
• Violence has NO economic or professional boundaries
• 65% of the suspects in 2008 homicides were age 25 or younger
• Young men and women need to make good decisions or there will be consequences
• Gun violence can get you 10-20-life
• 10 individuals died as a result of Domestic Violence 2008