The problem of gangs in Los Angeles has reached a point that it has finally received the attention it should have received decades ago. Black Street Gangs in Los Angeles: A History is a new book being written by Alex Alonso, PhD Candidate, describes gangs in 1940. Why has it taken so long? I believe there are three reasons. First we have constant coverage of the news on television. Second the internet is an opportunity to spread the word of everything happening. Third the middle class public has become upset enough to voice its concern to the city council.
We have had the benefit of many studies in just the past few years that have yielded no action by the city. The most well publicized studies were by Connie Rice, a civil rights attorney and a second report complied by Laura Chick, city controller.
The mayor, who was a gang member himself in his teen years, certainly knows what gangs are all about. He has appointed a “gang czar”, who also has gang fighting experience to head the city’s new effort. Considering this is a problem that is over 60 years old this anti-gang effort will be long and hard.
Tessa Charnofsky, a dedicated social worker in the mayor’s office and part of the gang reduction program, wrote this to me about gangs.
The Gang Reduction, Youth Development program will address the core causes of gangs. In fact, the largest portion of these dollars will go towards prevention programming at parks, schools, and community centers, and will include parenting programs. There will also be dollars for gang intervention and re-entry programming.
What is new about these dollars is that they are targeting the areas hardest hit by gang activity and so services will be more intense in those areas. Outcomes and results will also be closely tracked.
I cannot comment on the parcel tax except to say that existing dollars do not nearly cover the need in this city. Where I live, for instance, there are tagging crews, poverty, and lots of kids roaming about with not much to do. But there has not been a shooting in many years. So, there is no funding for prevention programs.
It would make sense to have programming throughout the city to effectively prevent these kids from getting drawn in.
The city wants to add a $36 parcel tax to fight gangs. It will be on the November ballot. Should I vote for this?
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