U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, alongside various local and federal law enforcement agencies and community organizations, welcomed over 350 youth from the District to the 15th Annual Anti-Violence Youth Summit. The event took place at the Catholic University of America in the Pryzbyla Center.
This year's summit, titled "Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful," addressed topics such as drug abuse prevention, gun violence prevention, and mental health awareness. A moment of silence was observed to honor young victims lost to homicide in 2024. U.S. Attorney Pirro awarded the United States Attorney’s Office’s Youth Citizenship Awards to two participants for their academic excellence and leadership among peers.
"The most important thing we can do, in addition to our core mission, is to get out in the community to talk to young people," stated U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. "The President wants to make Washington, DC safe again and events with youth is an excellent example of how we are empowering young people to protect themselves. If you or anyone you know needs information on protecting our youth please reach out to my office."
Since its inception by the U.S. Attorney's Office in 2011, thousands of District youth have attended the summit, which is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood Program aimed at reducing violent crime nationwide.
The U.S. Attorney expressed gratitude towards this year’s partners: the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation; East of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative; Catholic University of America and its Department of Public Safety; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Metropolitan Police Department; Department of Homeland Security; and D.C. Prevention Centers.
The Community Engagement Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia organizes this annual event.
