Prosecutor says outreach part of anti-violence fight

Chicago's U.S. prosecutor says his battle to stem violence in the city includes federal participation in a new outreach program that seeks to persuade vulnerable youth to avoid crime.

Zachary Fardon spoke Wednesday to a Chicago civic group about street violence.

He told the business and civic leaders that the initiative is a partnership with various community groups.

He also said changing street gangs complicate efforts to reduce violence. He says gang structures have fragmented and members often fight each other over petty disputes. He says shootouts are often about "kids pulling the trigger over nothing."

He says prosecutions remain his No. 1 job. But he says the outreach initiative shows "a pivot" from "being reactive to being proactive."