i have to say that i am near 30 in Chattanooga and i am bored to death. the kids here have no motivation to do anything but hang out.I grew up in Nashville and there are so many more activities for the youth. the adults seem to be more motivated as well. there is a huge drug problem here in Chattanooga as well as young parents.the parents have the same mentality as the youth. but i have also noticed that the hangouts on the outskirts and on brainerd road are rarely patrolled by police. these kids hangout, drink, and act crazy as well. we need more activites here for our citizens, not tourists. things like Dave and Busters,upward bound, water parks,church youth programs that actually interest the kids(not the adults)are a few things to help. also these things need to be income appropriate for people to afford. most of the violence comes from inner-city youth whose families are struggling to pay bills better yet afford a family trip to lake winnie or such.there was just a lot more for(i am putting it out there) black youth to stay involved in during my youth and i always state how grateful i am for not growing up here because my mentality would be the same as we see here so often today. i can go to a rock concert, or country music event etc. but that is not the mentality of the people here. that needs to change first. better jobs, more culture related events, and a different outlook on life is what it will take to turn this around. the friday night concerts in Miller Plaza should include artists that interest more cultures, the riverbend offers little entertainment for african americans other than the strut or gospel night. it seems as though segregation is still too strong in this city. the people with money of many races are fully entertained and the low income mostly black citizens are delegated entertainment every now and then. i hate to make this a race issue but if we want a change we need to deal with the facts.