TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to work with staff and appropriate stakeholders including, but not limited to, the Long Beach Unified School District, the Long Beach Police Department, the Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Task Force and community-based organizations to conduct a study session to discuss potential proactive gang prevention programs for the City of Long Beach.
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach, like many other municipalities, continues to experience the effects of gang-related violence throughout its neighborhoods. In an effort to be proactive and youth-focused, other communities have worked to develop long-range gang deterrent programs. The Gang Resistance is Paramount (GRIP) Program in Paramount is an example of this. Long Beach, with its large youth population and many public schools, would greatly benefit from the development and assertive implementation of a proactive gang prevention model.
The City's current efforts include the Long Beach Youth and Gang Violence Prevention Task Force. The Task Force was created to inform the City and the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) as to appropriate gang prevention measures and strategies. In addition to these efforts, the City should explore a potential citywide program to instill in school-aged children the danger of gangs. Potential programs could include education, counseling, and the combined efforts of numerous agencies that would target youth through many stages of their development.
In order to ensure a full public discussion and evaluation of potential programs, a City Council study session should be held by the City Manager. The session shall utilize the valuable work of the Task Force and allow for vital community input on gang-related issues and prevention. Following Council discussion and input, the City Manager should work with the Long Beach Police Department, the Long Beach Unified School District, the Task Force and other appropriate agencies to begin develo...
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