The unrest in Baltimore has sparked Mayor Bill Finch to take steps to prevent a similar situation in Bridgeport.

Finch held one of several meetings to lay out a plan to prevent violence among young people in Bridgeport. He met with city department heads and community leaders on the matter. Finch says he also plans to hold meetings across the city over the next few days to seek input from young people and from business and religious leaders. 

He says one of the best ways to prevent the kind of riots that happened in Baltimore is to have an open line of communication. He wants to ensure that young people have enough part-time work and other activities to help keep them off the streets.

Mayor Finch plans to hold a news conference next week to unveil his official plan for avoiding civil unrest.