Recent data from the Stockton Police Department show a significant decline in violent and property crime, but for a group of local youth that reality — or in their view, the lack thereof for some — is driving them to take action and continue the peace.
“We need to do a lot more work by building up the community and giving the youth more options, so that they don’t feel like being in a gang is their only option to turn to,” said Algeria Jones, a senior at Aspire Langston Hughes Academy.
Jones was one of more than a dozen students and faculty that marched in peace and silence from north Stockton to the city’s downtown…