Gang Prevention

Research shows there are proven strategies to cut gang-related violence.  These models combine close supervision and swift consequences for violence with collaborative community services to help youth get off drugs, stay in school, or find a job.  Boston, Philadelphia, and Stockton have rapidly reduced violent crime by gang members and other troubled youths.  After Boston adopted its collaborative anti-gang effort citywide called Operation Ceasefire, youth homicides dropped by two-thirds.  In the two Philadelphia police districts where the Philadelphia collaborative approach was first implemented, youth homicides dropped twice as fast as in the rest of Philadelphia.

The California Gang Reduction, Intervention and Prevention Program (CalGRIP) program, established in 2007, provides millions of dollar to dozens of cities and community-based organizations for comprehensive local anti-gang suppression, intervention, and prevention programs.  At least five  (Oakland, Oxnard, Modesto, Salinas and Stockton) of the CalGRIP city grants support strategies based on the Ceasefire model and receive technical assistance through a public/private partnership with several foundations.

After five rounds of CalGRIP grants, the Governor’s FY 2012-2013 budget does not provide any additional funding for CalGRIP grants.