CHICAGO (AP) — The leader of an organization that
tries to defuse street violence says the videotaped beating death of a Chicago
student has led to positive changes by city leaders and police.
But Tio Hardiman says much still has to be done to
protect school children. Hardiman is director of CeaseFire Illinois, whose
members intervene in disputes among young people.
Hardiman says police have done a good job reaching
out to students at some schools since 16-year-old Fenger High School student
Derrion Albert was beaten to death in 2009.
But Hardiman says more schools and neighborhoods
need attention, and more community members should be trained to help stop
violence and help police.
Hardiman made his comments Monday, when the last
suspect convicted in Albert's death was sentenced to 32 years in prison.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
