Coral Springs Forum | Sun-Sentinel.com

Distraught over the recent stabbing death of a local teenager by his older brother, Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook made an emotionally-charged plea to other city officials to support his idea for a community forum to discuss teen violence in the community.

There wasn’t much support coming his way.

Brook wanted the city to organize a community forum or a town hall meeting “as soon as possible,” preferably in November. “Addressing mental health issues will be helpful to combat teen violence,’ he said.

“I want to see what we can do as a community to address the issue. We can invite students, leaders in the community and guidance counselors to the meeting. I spoke with Shawn Cerra, J.P. Taravella High School principal, and he would also like to do something,” the mayor added.

The city should “let some healing occur” before it did anything, said Commissioner Tom Powers. “This is a tragedy. Tragedies are first dealt with emotionally. We should let the emotional side of it to take its course. Let us let some healing occur. When we have data, let us see how we can address it. We have the potential to do more harm than good by not letting the healing take place.”

Commissioner Claudette Bruck said there wasn’t much city officials or the city could offer. “We are ill equipped to address the situation. Therapists have talents; we certainly do not. I have a hard time understanding what we have to offer in terms of telling parents how to look after their children.”

Brook is going ahead with his plans to talk to the community on teen violence and ways to address it. He has invited residents to come to his Coffee with the Mayor event from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Nov. 2 at Cafe Creme Brulee, 1263 University Drive.