After a 15-year-old boy was stabbed and killed in New Bedford Wednesday night the issue of youth violence has come back to the forefront.

Speaking with WBSM's Brian Thomas, community organizer John "Buddy" Andrade said that when it comes to addressing the issue, discussions need to focus on the family dynamic.

"Having a table where people are sitting around identifying those individuals who are out there roaming around and identifying who their family is," said Andrade "and if they're not of a certain age then those families, those moms and dads, uncles, grandparents, or who's ever in charge, should be taken to task."

Andrade says actions could include taking parents or guardians to court for child neglect or child abandonment.

However, Andrade also says that more activities and programs are needed in that neighborhood to help steer kids away from gang activities.

"I'm taking the programs and other things that the city has, including being able to allow us to have more activities in the parks without having to have a Congressional Act to get the activity to go on," said Andrade.

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Andrade says he and other community leaders are working with the school department to make gyms and other spaces in the school available for community events and activities.

Andrade is organizing a back to school family fun day at Monte's Playground from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

Volunteers are still being sought and anyone who wishes to take part is asked to arrive at 9 a.m.

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