Boston teens, in a march more than 100 strong, sought an $8 million increase in city spending for youth jobs and programs Thursday. They marched on City Hall, filed inside and made their wishes known.

According to David Jenkins, a youth worker in Boston for six years, the $8 million hike would help stem the tide of violence that has trapped the city on a virtual island of bad news this year.

"The whole intention of this campaign is to highlight that youth are scared and are down on the streets of Boston," said Jenkins.

Shane Bass, 17, of Dorchester said he was marching because he has seen many of his friends die to unnecessary street violence.

One of those prevention methods is to increase the number of street workers that perform outreach to the city’s teens, often preventing violent conflicts from happening, said Jenkins.

Currently there are 19 street workers in Boston but there are many more needed.

"They are the first line of defense," since Jenkins.