MIAMI -- The days of decreasing violent crime are over and as law enforcement officials struggle to keep the peace, mayors from across the country are joining forces to help those at the root of the problem.

The United States Conference of Mayors, of which Miami Mayor Manny Diaz is the vice president, is holding a two-day summit in South Florida, to talk the violent crime issue that is plaguing major cities like Miami.

Diaz spent Thursday meeting with the group of mayors, which included Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer, Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy, and Bridgeport Mayor John Fabrizi.

The mayors met with superintendents, chief of police, criminologists and educators during Thursday's summit, held at the Marriott Miami Biscayne Bay.

"As mayors, we recognize the seriousness of at-risk youth, gang violence and school violence all over the country. In order to turn the tide and reverse this alarming trend, we must target our resources to proactively ensure that our kids stay in school and prepare for the work of the world, and to combat the problems of youth and gang violence," Diaz said at a news conference.

City of Miami Police Chief John Timoney was also at the news conference, and said the problem with rising violent crime is partly to blame on the lack of listening and funding from the federal government.

Timoney added that it was time the federal government start listening to the mayors who are at the forefront of the problem.

Criminologist Scott Decker, who was asked by the USCM to attend the summit, said that the age group committing the violent crimes is changing.

"Fifteen to 29 use to be the age group that was the biggest indicator as to where violent crime trends were going, that's no longer the case," said Decker. "We need to pay attention to comprehensive strategies, cooperative work through agencies at both state and national level."

Closing the achievement gap is another major problem, according to educators asked to take part in a panel discussion with the mayors.

"Eleventh and 12th grade Latino students are reading at the level of their eighth 8th grade Anglo counterparts," according to Russlynn Ali, Education Trust West executive director.

The USCM unveiled a 10-point plan to help at-risk youth that was supported by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The plan motto: Strong cities, strong families, for a strong America.

The 10-point plan is being sent to every member of Congress, President George W. Bush, the administration and all 2008 presidential candidates.

The summit continues Friday when the USCM will focus on how to connect youth offenders to new opportunities upon re-entry to society.

The summit will conclude with an at-risk youth roundtable made up of Miami area teens.