Columbus to Save its YouthThe United States is no stranger to crime, unfortunately there has been an increase in criminal activity in the city of Columbus. The most drastic increase in criminal activity has occurred among adolescents as young as thirteen and is usually committed after school hours. The city of Columbus has tried to be proactive in reducing the crime rate, without much success. Many residents believe increased punishment for crimes committed by teenagers is the appropriate step to take. While many other residents believe parents should be held responsible for caring for their children after school. The average working adult in Columbus typically works an average of at least forty hours per week to maintain an average lifestyle. With fifty-five percent of children living in a single-parent household on a single income, it is almost impossible for many of these parents to be able to not only supervise their children at all times, but also pay for care in most cases. This is a cry for help, the City of Columbus should invest in an increase in free after-school programs for children ages thirteen and older. Recently, there has been an increase in criminal activity among youth in Columbus, Georgia. The percentage of juvenile criminals increased by almost 9.5% during the 2012-2013 year (Chattahoochee Valley Struggles with Blacks on Black Crime). Many of the crimes committed involved teenagers as young as fifteen and became increasingly violent. In 2012, a sixteen-year-old woman was shot and killed by her eighteen-year-old boyfriend, a few months later a nineteen-year-old boy was shot and killed while walking home. (Chattahoochee Valley fights black-on-black crime). Due to the overwhelming...... middle of paper ......ie achieving life goals. The community should encourage the continued community service of students who receive scholarships and/or some type of financial assistance for volunteering, along with existing programs. This could increase the number of people available for these after-school and summer programs, while saving the city money. This could prove to be a major step in continuing to improve the city and make it a place to live and thrive. Works Cited James-Johnson, Alva. “Chattahoochee Valley Fights Black-on-Black Crime” www.ledgerenquirer.com. February 8, 2014. March 25, 2014. The Family Center. "FAST | Columbus, Georgia |." The Columbus Family Center. Np, and Web. April 13, 2014. “Youth Advisory Council • Columbus, Georgia. » Homepage of Columbus, Georgia. Np.,