NCJ Number
147663
Date Published
1992
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This report on the status of Los Angeles street gangs describes recent trends relating to gangs, summarizes the antigang efforts of a number of public and private agencies, and discusses a variety of innovative cooperative strategies implemented in the county to address the gang problem.
Abstract
The task force emphasizes that the phenomenon of gangs and gang violence is complex and does not respond to simple efforts at solution. Long-term efforts are needed that will require the combined commitment of public and private agencies, law enforcement, the courts, community organizations, and the community residents themselves. The task force focuses on proactive strategies that target at- risk youth and that involve prevention, early intervention, education, treatment, and community mobilization. The report contains discussions of strategies that involve education, community mobilization, law enforcement, and juvenile justice system reform. General recommendations call for comprehensive and coordinated strategies for prevention and early intervention services that target at-risk youth. Fundamental reforms of the juvenile justice system, with attention to status offenders, are also suggested. Inclusion of at-risk youth as a critical element in the long-term strategies now being developed by the County's Children's Planning Council and the Delinquency and Crime Commission is also recommended. Other recommendations pertain to the broader implementation of community policing strategies by law enforcement agencies throughout the county and the use of gang prevention/self-esteem curricula in all schools impacted by gang violence. Figures on gang-related violent crime from 1984 through 1990 are provided.