MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Future generations of leaders were able to make their voices heard in front of Montgomery’s top principal at a youth town hall meeting at Park Crossing High School.

Mayor Steven Reed gathered with the moderators, who are both seniors at local high schools, to have a discussion about the issues that matter to them. Students were able to submit questions to be read or address them personally.

While getting tougher on crime has been a goal for many in the city, moderator and Booker T. Washington High School senior Jeremiah Treece said fellow students are concerned about how the city’s response looks.

“Mayor using police to over-police? That’s a big issue that I’m hearing right now because I’ve heard that funding is going up, they’re trying to recruit, but is the recruitment going to overpolice or do they have to rethink how the police are being used?” Treece said.

Treece received a round of applause when she asked about the bags students have to put their phones in before class.

Reed responded by saying, “I was just in a forum with mayors from around the world. 150 mayors from all over the world were invited and they had us hang up the phones,” before adding: “There may be some minor inconveniences with the cover, but I trust the management here to make the best decision in your best interest. “

Former Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Melvin Brown resigned this fall after less than three years on the job, in part because of tensions with some school board members.

Also, when Reed was asked about more activities for students to do for fun, he said the city has had discussions about building an arena for sports and concerts downtown.

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