Chief Murphy: ‘I don’t want children to be scared of us’

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The city of Chattanooga held a youth gun violence summit Friday morning.

The summit was held at the Brainerd Crossroads facility.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly speaking at the Youth Gun Violence Summit.

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Police Chief Celeste Murphy were among many speakers discussing how we should address youth gun violence as a community.

Topics such as mental, family and spiritual health were discussed.

Police Chief Murphy says the police have to continue to improve relations with youth.

She said, “When they see the vision of us and when we’re in their presence I don’t want children to be scared of us. I don’t want adults to be scared of us, and I want our adults to stop teaching our children to be scared of us, because that’s what I’m not about.”

Mayor Kelly added that the city is continuing to look at effective strategies to combat youth violence.