Sitting on the ‘bench’ of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas has given me an exceptional vantage point with respect to the problems that impact our communities. My role as a Juvenile Court Judge is unique in that it gives me the opportunity to see many troubled youth before they become ingrained in a negative lifestyle and succumb to the evils of “The Streets.”
The “evils” begin to attract and attack our youth when they are young. Violence, gun toting and sexual deviancy becomes an intimate partner in their lives long before they mature with wisdom. Young males that come into my courtroom are more likely to die before they reached adulthood than to graduate from high school. The crime of “weapon carrying” is the most prevalent offense adjudicated. I also see a growing trend of young women engaging in the same offenses.
Addressing this violence phenomenon is imperative. We must find a way to address these problems within our youth subculture. It is all of our responsibility to insure that they can have the opportunity to become ripe with years, mature with wisdom and most of all productive citizens. If we do not jump in and save our children, they will not have the tools needed to continue the legacy of our fathers.
Our first goal as responsible stakeholders is to get our youth to realize that violence solves nothing. Our second goal has to give them something to look forward to since most of all they lack hope.
As a Juvenile Court Judge, I am pained by the lack of hope that I see in the eyes of the youth who come before me. I am not surprised by their lack of awareness of the need to be respectful to their parents, elders as well the authorities. It appears that they have long ago turned off their emotions. At first, I was startled by their boldness and lack of fear expressed in their behaviors in and out of court, but then I soon recognized their behaviors as a defense mechanism. I am stilled by their words, those said and mostly unsaid, because of a lack of proper education. I am greatly grieved by the apparent lack of guidance suffered by these young people. Yet I am encouraged by the work of The Coalition Against Violence and it is so very important that they be recognized for their dedication to our communities.
Accolades are to be extended to all who have taken the time to sit down, ponder, discuss, seek solutions and provide this booklet as a beacon of hope for our children. The Bible tells us in Psalms 127:3, “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.” Thus, our youth are our legacy and a blessing from God almighty. We must “train them up in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).”
Judge Dwayne D. Woodruff
Court of Common Pleas, Family Division
Allegheny County
Pittsburgh Steelers 1979-‘90
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