CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – An Horry County committee focusing on youth violence wants to create an app they think will reduce crime.
“We’re just trying to link ourselves better to the younger community,” said Chief Deputy Tom Fox, co-chair for the Horry County Violence Subcommittee.
Members say a 311 app is needed to connect the community with available assistance programs.
“Where they don’t have to go through pages and pages of a phone book or go on the internet and search pages and pages. We can just put the topics in there they can just click on a link for the topics,” said Chief Deputy Fox.
Topics would include resources for those struggling with opioid addiction, parenting problems, and GED classes.
“It will display a list of all of the county resources, all the private resources for whatever problems or solutions they’re seeking,” said Fox.
The app would be modeled after the South Carolina 211 website.
“That smart phone users can just clink on and do whatever they want,” said Fox.
The group also wants to create social media sites to connect with the youth.
“They are going to address the problems that we’re trying to identify and to try to get the younger people in the community involved so we can get their comments their suggestions,” said Fox.
The group has no budget so they plan to look for grants.
“Identify existing federal programs that deal with community violence and also funding streams through federal grants or state grants and that’ll gives us a direction as far as our budget and future needs,” added Fox, who also wants to use local IT students to help with development.
“To give us some of their thoughts and ideas of how we can reach out to students and young adults,” Fox added.
The committee is also working on bringing back the Horry County CrimeStoppers program and creating an educational program for high school students.
