Oakland mayor's youth job program helps curb violence

OAKLAND, Calid. (KGO) -- Oakland Mayor Jean Quan believes her youth job program is helping stop violence in the city.

On Tuesday, some of the teens who received jobs this summer gathered to talk about their experiences.

Some went to businesses who donated open positions. Others worked for the fire department or at city hall.

The mayor says the usual summer spike in violence just is not happening this year. "It's really gone down significantly and this is one of the most peaceful summers. It looks like we're going to have a record low of homicides this summer and all of this adds into it," Quan said.

The program targets the city's poorest neighborhoods.