Cities that have witnessed reductions in gang and youth violence and improved quality of life have taken most or all of seven critical steps. Paramount among them are public leadership by the mayor and chief of police, a comprehensive city-wide plan that blends prevention, intervention, enforcement and reentry, and an entity, e.g. task force, commission, […]
Success Depends on Mayors’ Leadership
Since 1981, gang violence has claimed the lives of more than 15,000 Californians. Most of this violence occurs in cities. Death is just one measure of victimization. Among others: In crime-besieged neighborhoods kids fear going to school, parks become unusable, and shopping and taking a bus to work are dangerous ventures for residents. In short, […]
Fear and Public Policy: Redirecting 9/11
It doesn’t seem that long ago. From my 13th floor office on K Street in Washington, my staff and I at the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), witnessed plumes of smoke gushing up from the Pentagon, the last of the 9/11 hijacked planes having just completed its attack. But what to do about it? NCPC’s […]
The Essential Role Played by Probation in California’s 13-City Gang Prevention Network
“This initiative has been fantastic. If I’ve got an idea or a problem, I know I can call or visit a colleague in a Network city, a colleague who is doing what I’m thinking about doing.” ~Paul Vinetz, LA County Probation With gangs playing a disproportionate role in violent crimes in many communities, probation officials […]
