New London - Creating a youth intervention center, raising expectations at home and in the community, and requesting $74,000 for new and existing programs are a few of the recommendations the Safe City Commission hopes will curb youth violence.

The 20-member committee, which was formed earlier this year following the October murder of a downtown resident and the subsequent arrests of six city teenagers, will present 10 recommendations to the City Council tonight.

"It's really not about money,'' said City Councilor Michael Buscetto III, who organized the group and served as its chairman. "It's meant to say we have real problems and let's try a different approach."

One of the recommendations, which will not cost any money, is educating and collaborating with residents on a "zero tolerance" approach to criminal and violent behavior. And home expectations must mirror those of the community, Buscetto said.

"We need to be consistent,'' he said. "We have to instill in young adults and youths what our expectations are so they'll understand."

The commission decided it did not want to set up punitive policies, but rather preventative measures to address the violence, Buscetto said.

Among the 10 recommendations that came out of nearly three months of meetings are a request for $15,000 for a part-time Out of School Time director, who would serve as a liaison between the city's youth organizations and the city government; $35,000 to fund groups that provide youth programming, such as New London Youth Affairs, Writers Block, Camp Rotary and a Safe-Walk Ambassadors program; and $24,000 for job training for 20 at-risk youth enrolled at New London Adult Education.

The city should also look at creating an intervention center.

Policy recommendations include forming a partnership with the city and downtown businesses to install better lighting and surveillance cameras; and a request to Southeast Area Transit to improve bus routes for New London and find ways to offer free or reduced travel for youth. City and school officials need to find ways to be more involved with students who have serious academic and behavioral issues.

The committee agreed to support Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Connecticut, create better communication between youth and the police department, and look into updating a night curfew.

k.edgecomb@theday.com