HAMPTON — It’s not always easy being a young person in today’s world: There are plenty of issues in 2018 that can make being a teenager difficult.
To help parents, grandparents, teens themselves, or anyone who works with youth address some of the issues kids can face, the Norfolk Office of the FBI and the Sixth Mt. Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton are partnering to present the free program, “Protecting Our Youth: Understanding Today’s Threats.”
The event will be on June 26 at Sixth Mt. Zion, 3100 Butternut Drive.
“The goal is to empower our community with knowledge about important and sensitive issues facing today’s youth,” said Vanessa Torres, FBI community outreach specialist in Norfolk. “Through various presentations, we aim to educate all attendees about the many ways local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies respond to the threats presented, as well as each respective agency’s expertise, specialized capabilities, training, and resources, before and after an incident occurs.”
Torres said the day-long seminar will include topics that focus on opioid addiction, targeted violence, social media, and victim services. There will also be a panel discussion.
Representatives from the Hampton Police Department, FBI, and Attorney General’s Office will be present to engage in discussions and answer questions.
“Knowing about today’s threats will help attendees detect and prevent a crisis before it starts,” Torres said.
She said presentations will expand on heroin and prescription drug use in Hampton Roads; using situational awareness to identify pre-attack indicators of targeted violence and shootings; and ways predators lure kids into danger using social media.
“This event is an example of ways the FBI’s Community Outreach Program serves to educate, link the community with services, and most importantly, partner with law enforcement to address multiple interrelated societal problems including crime, drugs, terrorism, and violence,” Torres said.
The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although it’s free and open to the public, seating is limited and registration is required. Registration can be done online or by emailing Torres at [email protected].
