Former gang member says Louisville 'not ready for crime wave' as youth get involved with gun violence

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A former Louisville gang member is tackling youth and gang violence the way he knows how.

Demetrius McDowell was pulled into gang life by the adrenaline rush. He said almost nothing compares to getting away from the police. However, after three trips to prison, he knew it was either die in the streets or make a change.

"I found out what the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting the different results,” said McDowell.

Violence has taken the lives of nine kids in Louisville since the beginning of the year. It is hard for anyone to say if any of the deaths are related to gang violence. However, McDowell said the city needs to prepare for big city-like violence.

“That is why I feel, from personal experience, that Louisville is not ready for the crime wave that has been coming from a whole another city, ya know, this is a Chicago replication right now,” he said.

In June, a teenager was shot in the head, and the suspects are minors themselves.

“What is happening is social media is taking a life of it’s own. A lot of altercations and demonstrations are happening on social media first and then played out in the streets,” said McDowell.

McDowell joined a gang when he was 14, and said he was making serious money.

"If you have never done it the right way, the wrong way always seems right," said McDowell.

But his street success came with a price tag, three times in prison. So why did he keep going back to the streets?

“It is dopamine. It is exciting to get away from the police. It is a rush to make money illegally and get away with it. It is validation to be 14 years old to be accepted by your peers being 25 years old because you are all in the same illegal activity,” McDowell said.

The dopamine high left him empty. Three years ago, he came back to the streets, this time with "Bosses Not Bangers."

Through this program, he mentors kids that are in or close to being in a gang. And he is having success. The kids are listening as almost 90% of the kids in program have stayed out of trouble.

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