One former gang member says he is working in the community to teach young kids and get them to trade their guns for skateboards.

Ruben Saldana is a youth coach trying to stop guns from making their way into the hands of young people, by giving kids something else to do with their time.

The former gang member has worked within projects connected to Orlando’s Citizens Safety Task Force, which is aimed at preventing gun violence. 

“I have never heard of anyone doing a drive by with a skateboard," Saldana said. "I have never heard of anyone doing that — it’s a positive culture."

At a recent Citizens Task Force meeting, Orange County Sheriff John Mina reported that gun-related crimes are down 30% for places like Pine Hills and Holden Heights since 2018.

Saldana said he believes skateboarding is a way to keep young kids busy and away from guns because it keeps kids entertained by taking the boards home with them and practicing on their own.

“If they don’t take that skateboard home with them and practice in front of their house, what are they going to be practicing,” he said.

The group recently met off Paramore Street in downtown Orlando to get introduced to the sport of skateboarding.

Skateboards were donated along with safety equipment, including knee and elbow pads, for the 20 kids aged 5 to 17 who showed up for the experience.

One participant, 9-year-old Trevagan Ford, said he was enthusiastic about learning to skateboard. 

He lives down the street off Paramore near downtown Orlando.

Even though he's young, Ford said he knows about the bad things that sometimes go on in his neighborhood.

“Shooting and stuff, and killing,” he said.

But he loves the idea of practicing skateboarding with other friends.

“I have fun, I eat, and I love everybody,” said Trevagan.

Saldana says there is only one fix for reducing gun violence across Florida.

“I think the only solution to turn around youth crime right now is to spend time with these kids," he said. "I don’t think there is another solution."