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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/14/2009 �AIK Kern County -Citv of Bakersfield Rubio Supervisor—Co-Chair Irma i Carson, Councilmember-Co-Ch Mike Maggard, Supervisor ar Sue Benham, Councilmember Staff: Sergio Reyes/Adel Klein Ja cquie Sullivan, Councilmember Staff: John W. Stinson QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE JOINT CITY /COUNTY STANDING COMMITTEE TO COMBAT GANG VIOLENCE May 14, 2009 - 10:00 a.m. Bakersfield City Council Chambers 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301 AGENDA ROLL CALL 1 . Public Presentations This portion of the meeting is reserved for ersons t p o address the Committee on any matter not on this agenda but under the jurisdiction of the Committee. Committee members may respond brief/ to statements y made or questions posed. They may ask a question for clarification, make a referral to staff for factual " a information or request staff to report back to the Committee at a later meeting.g Also, the Committee may act to direct the staff to place a matter of business on a future agenda. Please state your name and address for the record before making our presentation.y p ton. SPEAKERS ARE MINUTES. 2. Committee Member Announcements or Reports 3. Community Presentation — National Brotherhood Association of Kern 4. Update of the Kern County Gang Strategic c Plan 5. Q&A / Discussion ADJOURNMENT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (Government Code Section 54953.2) Disabled individuals who need special assistance to attend or arti Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence may request p c�pate �n a meeting of the Joint City/County Truxtun Avenue, Y re q assistance at the County Administrative Office, 1115 Bakersfield, or by calling (661) 868-3198. Every effort will be made to r individuals with disabilities by making meeting materials available in alternative easonably accommodate should be made five(5)working days in advance wherever possible. to native formats. Requests for assistance T fc �AR� ' 1pop • ' FZY 11 1Yg I- Kern County City of Bakersfield Michael Rubio,Supervisor-Co-Chair Irma Carson,Councilmember-Co-Chair Mike Maggard,Supervisor Sue es Staff: Sergio Re Benham,Councilmember g y / Adel Klein Kl ein Jac uie Sullivan Councilmember Staff: John W.Stinson QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE OINNT CITY/COUNTY T / OUNTY STANDING COMMITTEE TO COMBAT GANG VIOLENCE February 19,2009- 10:00 a.m. Board of Supervisors Chambers 1115 Truxtun Avenue,Bakersfield, CA 93301 MINUTES ROLL CALL SUPERVISOR RUBIO, SUPERVISOR MAGGA RD, COUNCILMEMBER CARSON, COUNCILMEMBER BENHAM AND COUNCILMEMBER SULLIVAN PRESENT. 1. Public Presentations This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons to address the Committ the jurisdiction of the Committee. Committee members ma ee on any matter not on this agenda but under y res pond briefly to statements made or questions posed. They may ask a question for clarification, make a referral to sta actual information ff f or f or request staff to report back to the Committee at a later meeting. Also, the Committee may act to direct the staff to place a matter o agenda. Please state your name and address for the record before ma f business on a future TO TWO MINUTES. king your presentation. SPEAKERS ARE LIMITED BERNARD ANTHONY DISCUSSED LOCAL GANG PREVENTION CHARETTE EFFORT. STEPHANIE CAMPBELL INVITED COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO NEXT CHARETTE MEETING ON FEBRUARY 25 AT 12PM AT STOP THE VIOLENCE OFFI STREET). CE (1016 S.OWENS DAVID WILLIAMS,FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL BROTHERHOOD ASSOCIATION OF KERN,DISCUSSED LOCAL ROLE OF HIS ORGANIZATION IN THE COMMUNITY. JONATHAN WEBSTER,MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL KERN,REQUESTED BROTHERHOOD ASSOCIATION 4F Q ED FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO BE AGE NDIZED FOR A SHORT PRESENTATION AT A LATER MEETING. 2. Committee Member Announcements or Reports SUPERVISOR RUBIO AND COUNCILMEMBER CARSON MADE INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS. 3. Gang Suppression/ Education Efforts in Schools • Presentation-Bakersfield Police Department ASSISTANT CHIEF LYLE MARTIN DELIVERED ORAL REP • ORT. Presentation-Kern County Sheriffs Department SHERIFF DONNY YOUNGBLOOD,COMMANDER BOB G OODING,AND LIEUTENANT MIKE RASCOE DELIVERED POWERPOINT/ORAL REPORT. DISTRICT ATTORNEY ED JAGELS AND DELANO OINT J UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT EFRAIN RODRIGUEZ PROVIDED ED 4. Gang Intervention/ Education Efforts in Schools • Presentation-Kern County Probation Department DAVID KUGE � SUSAN LERUDE AND ELIZABETH GONG DELIVERED P /ORAL REPORT. OWERPOINT 5. Gang Prevention/ Education Efforts in Schools • Presentation-Project 180 Partners KAREN GOH DELIVERED POWERPOINT /ORAL REPORT. 6. Discuss Ongoing Process to Update Kern County Gang g Violence Strategic Plan SUPERVISOR RUBIO DISCUSSED CURRENT UPDATE OF STRATEGIC PLAN,INCLUDING DISSEMINATION VIA EMAIL OF DRAFT PLAN FOR REVIEW. THE EXPE THE STRATEGIC PLAN CAN BE REVIE CTATION IS THAT WED AND FINALIZED PRIOR TO THE NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE. 7. Q&A/ Discussion ADJOURNMENT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (Government Code Section 54953.2) Disabled individuals who need special assistance to attend or participate in a meeting of the Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence may request assistance y re q s stance at the County Administrative Office, 1115 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, or by calling (661 868-3198. E individuals with disa ) Eve ry effort will be made to reasonabl accommodate bil�ties by making meeting materials available in alternative form y should be made five(5)working days in advance wherever possible. ats. Requests for assistance The following documents pertain to the: JOINT CITY-COUNTY STANDING COMMITTEE .To COMBAT GANG VIOLENCE meeting of Thursday, May 14, 2009 at 10.z 00 A.M. • F BPO F�s .s 9 q�ARY 111$0 >x �c ^�3 viy hid R Gang Violence in Kern' Count Y A Strategic Plan 2009 Update ay MkT �� '7 t Alm, g JOINT CITY/ COUNTY STANDING COMMITTEE TO COMBAT GANG VIOLENCE <P $ " MAY 14, 2009 f > Kern County Board of Supervisors: Michael Rubio, Supervisor— Co-Chair Mike Maggard, Supervisor Bakersfield City Council: Irma Carson, Councilmember— Co-Chair Jacquie Sullivan, Councilmember Sue Benham, Councilmember OUR MISSION To reduce the level, magnitude and frequency of gang violence within the County of Kern and the 11 incorporated cities within the county. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence i STRATEGIC PLAN CONTRIBUTORS Lily Alvarez(Kern County Mental Health) Adel Klein(County Administrative Office) Mark Arnold(Kern County Public Defender) Jeanie Lopez(Kern County Probation) Sal Arias(Kern County Superintendent of Schools) Mike Maggard(Kern County Supervisor,Third District) Wendy Avila(Kern County District Attorney's Office) Lyle Martin(Bakersfield Police Department) Ahmed Baameur(Kern County Probation) Francis Moore(Kern County Sheriff's Department) Sheryl Barbich(Barbich Consulting) Lewis Neal(Bakersfield City School District) Andrew Barling(Stockdale Learning Center) Matt Pontes(Kern County General Services) Sarah Baron(Kern County Superintendent of Schools) Mike Rascoe(Kern County Sheriff's Department) Sean Battle(Stop the Violence) Bill Rector(Bakersfield Police Department) Sue Benham(City of Bakersfield Councilmember,Ward 2) David Reese(Kern High School District) Lorena Berumen(Supervisor Michael Rubio's Office) Sergio Reyes(Supervisor Michael Rubio's Office) Joe Bianco(Bakersfield Police Department) Rosalina Rivera(Delano Joint Union High School District) Liz Carrizalez(Stay Focused Ministries) Willie Rivera(Supervisor Michael Rubio's Office) Manuel Carrizalez(Stay Focused Ministries) John Roberts(Kern County Probation) Irma Carson(Bakersfield Councilmember,Ward 1) Michael Rubio(Kern County Supervisor,Fifth District) Pat Cheadle(Kern County Human Services) Kim Salas(Supervisor Michael Rubio's Office) Lisa Clark(Kern County Probation) Zane Smith(Boys&Girls Clubs of Kern County) Deanna Cloud(Kern County Mental Health) Renee Stancil(Boys&Girls Clubs of Kern County) Tom Corson(Kern County Network for Children) Marque Stansberry(Ebony Counseling Center) Charlotte Daniel(Kern County Human Services) John Stinson(City Manager's Office) Terry Fleming(Kern County Probation) Jacquie Sullivan(Bakersfield Councilmember,Ward 6) Terry Foley(Community Member) Mickey Sturdivant(Mothers Against Senseless Killings) David Goh(Bakersfield Community Church) Dick Taylor(Supervisor Mike Maggard's Office) Jordan Gob(Bakersfield High School) Daryl Thiesen(Kern County Superintendent of Schools) Karen Goh(Garden Pathways) Tommy Tunson(Arvin Police Department) Marsha Greenstein(Kern County Mental Health) Michael Turnipseed(Kern County Taxpayers Association) Steve Hansen(Kern County Sheriff's Department) Cindy Uetz(Kern County Human Services) Tony Heider(Kern County Public Defender's Office) Vernon Valenzuela(Veterans Assistance Foundation) Ed Jagels(Kern County District Attorney) Willy Wahl(Kern County Sheriff's Department) Greg Jehle(Bakersfield Police Department) Greg Williamson(Bakersfield Police Department) Russell Johnson(Supervisor Mike Maggard's Office) Kirstin Woody(Supervisor Michael Rubio's Office) Kevin Keyes(Kern County Superintendent of Schools) Donny Youngblood(Kern County Sheriff) Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence ii INTRODUCTION The Kern County Gang Violence = Strategic Plan represents a holistic, communityw'de initiative to strategically combat gang violence _. W f within Kern County. This nationally- recognized program was first initiated in 2007. The following report provides an overview of the progress made since that time and presents objectives for the necessary and continued work ahead to improve the safety of all Kern County citizens. STATISTICS & TRENDS Prior to the implementation of the Kern County Gang Violence Strategic Plan in 2007, the gang violence problem in our community had reached epidemic levels. Both the City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern were experiencing a substantial number of crimes and homicides attributed to gangs in those jurisdictions. In the City, 50% of homicides in 2005, 54% of homicides in 2006, 40% of homicides in 2007 and 28%o of homicides in 2008 had a direct link to gang activity. In the County, approximately 30% of the total homicides committed in 2005 and 2006 were gang-related, 44% of homicides in 2007 and 8% of homicides in 2008 were gang-related. As these statistics clearly show, the number and proportion of gang-related homicides in both Bakersfield and Kern County have decreased considerably since 2007, particularly when compared to 2005 and 2006. Sustaining these initial successes remains the difficult yet necessary challenge ahead—the ongoing security and quality of life of our community depend on it. CONCERTED EFFORT Historically, isolated efforts to combat the rising tide of gang violence in our community have had variable but overall ineffective results. The implementation of this Strategic Plan Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 1 represented the first genuine concerted effort by the City and County—across the Prevention, Intervention and Suppression realms—to develop a comprehensive, unified plan of attack. The aforementioned trends speak to the success of this unified front. In order to regain control of our community and continue to ensure a safe and thriving environment for our children, our priorities must be consistent and thoughtfully developed. RECOMMENDATIONS This strategic planning process began over two years ago with the creation of the Joint City/ County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence. An ensuing inventory of community resources generated recommendations to fill gaps. For example, one of these recommendations was to enhance the Gang Unit within the Kern County Sheriff's Department. The County sought to establish a force that is comparable in size and scope to the one that the Bakersfield Police Department already fields within its jurisdiction. This County force is now a reality as a result of these efforts. Only with similarly structured Gang Units are both the Sheriff's Department and the Police Department finally able to work in tandem and without experiencing the effects of having such a considerable difference in resources. Studies have consistently shown that there is no single cause for youth gang membership. A multi-pronged and multi-faceted approach is required to address the many risk factors that contribute to the likelihood of gang membership. As such, the original Strategic Plan created a unified countywide approach that brought together private, community and government stakeholders—under the broader umbrella of prevention, intervention and suppression—to help implement a solution-based plan that offered results. The first phase of the Strategic Plan implementation is now'complete, but it is only the initial step in an ongoing multi-year effort that will further unite forces behind a single cause: protect Kern County adults and children from the devastating spiritual, emotional and physical effects of gangs. Evidence of the innovative nature and success of this unique and unprecedented effort is provided by the fact that the Kern County Gang Violence Strategic Plan received a 2008 Achievement Award by the National Association of Counties. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 2 Let our work continue... Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 3 OBJECTIVES AND RECOMMENDATIONS To more effectively address the gang problem in Kern County, the Joint City/ County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence was created by the County of Kern and the City of Bakersfield in Fall 2006. The primary purpose of the Standing Committee is to develop, implement and maintain a straightforward plan of attack against the root causes of gang violence. It is also charged with developing a comprehensive countywide prevention, intervention and suppression approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Additionally, the Joint Standing Committee serves first as a unifying clearinghouse for information, second to gather intelligence in the field and finally to develop and implement an ongoing comprehensive Strategic Plan to be presented to both the Kern County Board of Supervisors and the Bakersfield City Council. The three subcommittees—Prevention, Intervention and Suppression—were tasked by the Joint City/ County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence with developing action-oriented objectives to confront the core issues associated with gang violence in Kern County. Under each objective, in the main body of this Strategic Plan, you will find the original individual action steps and the individuals / organizations responsible for each goal. You will also find a status update for each item. Below appears a synopsis of the particular objectives that this Strategic Plan addresses: Prevention • Build capacity and increase effectiveness of funded programs to prevent gang involvement and violence. • Increase availability of academic enhancement and after school programs (including literacy, tutorial and mentoring opportunities) for youth in communities with high incidences of gang violence. • Provide substance abuse treatment opportunities for at-risk youth. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 4 • Increase mentoring services to youth and their families who are at risk of gang involvement and violence. • Mobilize community members and groups to reduce gang activity and violence in communities. • Provide skills enhancement and support for parents of at-risk youth. Intervention • Better leverage existing county "best practice" intervention programs. • Build systems intervention capacity through enhanced collaboration with community- and faith-based organizations to ensure accountability of outcome based programs. • Ensure that at-risk youth receive state-of-the-art prevention and intervention services designed to address the root causes of gang involvement. Suppression • Develop a process whereby local, state and federal agencies work together and share information to reduce criminal gang activity. • Create a Target Gang Unit within the District Attorney's Office. • Expand Regional Gang Unit within the District Attorney's Office. • Ensure coordination between District Attorney's Office and local agencies on preparing personnel as expert witnesses and the legal requirements of gang cases. • Coordinate with local law enforcement agencies on further developing gang hotline, PSA campaigns and community involvement in suppressing gangs. • Increase use of technology to assist in intelligence gathering and gang suppression. • Suppress criminal activities in Kern County through continued monitoring and supervision of gang members on probation. • Suppress criminal activities in Kern County through incarceration of gang members. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 5 EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION Though individual measures were developed for each objective within Prevention, Intervention and Suppression, broader universal benchmarks were also established in order to gauge effectiveness of this Strategic Plan. In particular, over time, the following indicators must decrease in our community as increased elements of the Strategic Plan are approved and fully implemented: • Number of Gang Members — Currently approximately 6,000 in Kern County • Number of Gangs — Currently approximately 70 in Kern County Number of Gang-Related Crimes / Homicides Below appear the most recent statistics regarding actual gang-related and non gang-related homicides in Bakersfield and Kern County. Table 1 shows the total number of homicides recorded in these areas for a 3-year period. Table 2 further delineates the impact of gang violence in relation to homicides witnessed. Table 1. Total number of homicides in metro-Bakersfield and Kern County from 2005-2008 Bakersfield Kern Count 2005 Total Homicides 32 30 2006 Total Homicides 24 33 2007 Total Homicides 15 32 2008 Total Homicides 25 24 Table 2. Total number of gang-related homicides in metro-Bakersfield and Kern County from 2005-2008 and percentage of total homicides attributable to gang violence. Bakersfield Kern County 2005 Gang-Related 16 9 Homicides 50% 30% 2006 Gang-Related 13 10 Homicides (54%) (30%) 2007 Gang-Related 6 14 Homicides (40%) (44%) 2008 Gang-Related 7 2 Homicides (28%) (8%) Sources: Bakersfield Police Department; Kern County Sheriff's Department Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence Only through deliberate attention to these benchmarks, coupled with an increased awareness of the root causes of gang violence, will Kern County maintain an impact on the gang problem in our community. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 7 JOINT CITY / COUNTY STANDING COMMITTEE TO COMBAT GANG VIOLENCE On November 18, 2006, the Joint City/ County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence hosted a half-day Special Meeting in the Board of Supervisors Chambers. For this meeting, the Standing Committee solicited input from all members of the community, particularly residents and anti-gang advocates that are on the front lines of the war against gangs. Full-group discussions, as well as break-out sessions, attempted to identify both existing gaps and resources that specifically address the gang problem in Kern County. During the full group discussion, the Standing Committee sought to identify the perceived key root causes of gang violence (in descending order of priority): • Family Instability/ Improper Parenting • Intergenerational Dynamics • Hopelessness / Spiritual Disconnect/ Moral Code Breakdown • Poverty • Lack of Education/ Poor Experience with Education • Need for Social Acceptance/ Social Marginalization of Youth / Self-Identity • Limited Positive Role Models / Media Images • Lack of Effective or Engaging Community Programs • Unemployment • Prisons ("Gang Training Camps") • Overwhelmed and Ineffective Justice System • Racism Numerous community dialogues, as well as subsequent quarterly Standing Committee meetings, have also been held throughout the county that have similarly echoed these root causes. These various discussions from all sectors of the community have resulted in tremendous input that has been incorporated into this revised document. Since the development of the original Strategic Plan, the entire community has been asked to participate via the media, as well as through churches, community groups, word of mouth and other formal and informal channels of communication. Many individuals have been involved in this process and the Standing Committee keenly seeks continued ongoing dialogue with all interested groups in the community. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence g In order for this Strategic Plan to be successful, the community—as well as policymakers at both the County and City level—must remain committed to embracing the spirit of this call to action. A comprehensive balanced approach of the key elements within prevention, intervention and suppression is vital to truly preserving this Strategic Plan as a "living document" that can achieve the many important milestones set forth in this document. This updated Strategic Plan is the next iteration of this communitywide effort. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 9 PREVENT' ION Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 10 Prevention Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide prevention approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Build capacity and increase effectiveness of funded programs to prevent gang involvement and violence. Measures: Creation of administrative body;Implementation of at least one pilot project per social service County department; Department Head evaluations Action Steps / Responsible Party Status • Place responsibility of gang prevention services under • Completed. Kern County Department of the administration of a central administrative body(e.g. Human Services (DHS) oversees all Kern County Network for Children or similar entity).- contracted gang prevention services, Kern County Board of Supervisors/Bakersfield City including administering contractual and Council accountability obligations. • Direct social service County departments to research and • Ongoing. DHS implemented best practice translate national best practices,resources and service recommendations by Child Welfare delivery models for local implementation.—County League of America. Works with Administrative Office prevention providers to institute best practices and proven service delivery models. • Direct social service County departments to develop • Ongoing. County Administrative Office holistic and innovative,`outside-the-box strategies to working with County departments, directly address the gang plague in Kern County, including Human Services,to develop including working with non-traditional community innovative strategies to address gang partners.—County Administrative Office violence problem in Kern County. • Establish process to reduce duplication of services across • Ongoing. Board of Supervisors may County departments.—County Administrative Office develop a Health Services Agency at a later time to minimize duplication of services across departments. Probation and Human Services are both involved in gang prevention and intervention activities, though services areas are not duplicative of one another. • Foster relationships and working partnerships between * Ongoing. Standing Committee facilitated government agencies,the business community, stand-alone meetings focused on business education, community-based organizations/faith-based and education interests related to gang organizations, and neighborhood networks.—Joint City prevention. Future meetings will address /County Standing Committee to Combat Gang corollary issues. DHS convenes monthly Violence planning meetings with Prevention and Intervention partners. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 11 Prevention Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide prevention approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Increase availability of academic enhancement and after school programs(including literacy, tutorial and mentoring opportunities)for youth in communities with high incidences of gang violence. Measures: Once initiated,programs will serve 20%more students and families on an annual basis. Lion Steps I Responsible Par Stags • Secure funding for one to two countywide after school • Completed. Board of Supervisors coordinators through the Kern County Superintendent allocated sufficient funding to secure of Schools to coordinate the early identification and two coordinators through the Kern referral of at-risk students and their families and County Superintendent of Schools/ manage academic skill enhancement activities in Project 180. After school programming targeted communities, one focusing on metropolitan expanded in Bakersfield and outlying Bakersfield and another focusing on outlying areas.— areas. Board of Supervisors/Bakersfield City Council • Increase capacity of school-based, faith-based and • Completed. KCSOS expanded capacity community-based after school programs to target to deliver two evidence-based after- children at risk of gang involvement by providing school curricular programs (Teaching teaching resources, teaching personnel, as well as Pro-Social Skills & Smart Moves.)After training and support for existing staff.—Kern County school programming expanded in Board of Supervisors /Bakersfield City Council Bakersfield and outlying areas. Stop the Violence provides after school activities. • Engage churches and other faith-based organizations to • Ongoing. Kern Leadership Alliance is mobilize individuals to read to preschool children and actively pursuing opportunities for faith be reading mentors for K-3 grade children in at-risk community to partner with schools in communities.—Joint City/County Standing education-based gang violence Committee to Combat Gang Violence/ prevention, such as reading to preschool Administrator of central administrative body children and assisting at-risk children in grades K-3 to become better readers. • Evaluate existing continuum of vocational and • Ongoing. Created matrix listing all alternative education for at-risk youth and propose school-based alternative education and solutions.—Kern County Superintendent of Schools vocational training opportunities. Received two federal grants to address existing vocational training gaps for at- risk youth. Grants directly address lack of opportunities in outlying communities and in high poverty areas. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 12 Prevention Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide prevention approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Provide substance abuse treatment opportunities for at-risk youth. Measures: Creation of a youth substance abuse treatment program. t 1, es o si l Pax Status • Develop community-based youth substance abuse • 'Completed. Established Casa de Ninos treatment program through Kern County Mental (12 beds for boys) and Crews' Home for Health.—Kern County Mental Health Girls (6 beds for girls) in May 2008. Ebony Counseling and Turning Point provide home-based substance abuse treatment. Substance abuse treatment consists of the Matrix Model for Teens and Young Adults. Referral process completed with Probation and continues to be in progress with DHS. • Expand relationships with business and community- • Ongoing. Adolescent prevention and based organizations/faith-based organizations that may intervention at 34th Street Community partner with Kern County Mental Health to resolve Learning Center: Project HYPE is a youth substance abuse treatment issues.—Kern County collaboration between KCMH and Mental Health KCSOS funded by State Department of Alcohol and Drug Program. Community outreach efforts have resulted in increasing awareness of adolescents and substance abuse treatment, with increased referrals made for outpatient adolescent treatment. Mental Health conducts monthly adolescent treatment provider meeting to increase knowledge, skill and ability or programs seeking to expand services to youth. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 13 Prevention Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide prevention approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Increase mentoring services to youth and their families who are at risk of gang involvement and violence. Measures: By January 2009, there will be a 15%increase in mentoring services being provided to at-risk youth and their families. Action,Ste s/Res on..ible Par St . s • Expand service potential of existing mentoring • Completed. DHS, through contracts with programs effectively targeting gang violence mentoring providers, has expanded prevention.—Community-based organizations/ mentoring programs to provide services faith-based organizations to approximately 152 adults and youth from Garden Pathways mentoring and 442 youth through the Stay Focused mentoring program. • Identify and expand existing youth leadership • Completed. DHS has expanded youth development programs demonstrating efficacy working leadership programs through its contract with at-risk youth and their families.—Community- with KCSOS with its support of Leaders based organizations/faith-based organizations in Life Conference. Ebony Counseling Center engages elementary and middle school students in at least two Community Service Learning activities and conducts mini forums involving youth enrolled in the program. • Increase the capacity of community-based organizations • Completed. The Efforts to Outcomes /faith-based organizations to develop outcomes-based system has been implemented to provide strategies and reporting on prevention efforts, including outcome-based reporting information for training and technical assistance.—Kern County Gang Prevention agencies through a Board of Supervisors/Bakersfield City Council partnership between DHS and the Kern County Network for Children. Training and technical assistance has been provided. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 14 Prevention Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide prevention approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Mobilize community members and groups to reduce gang activity and violence in communities. Measures: Expansion of number of funded and non funded field representatives; 20% increase in preventing community policing efforts in targeted communities;Local media outlets produce quarterly gang focused segment; Implement quarterly community wide prayer gatherings;Initiate positive trend in job opportunities for at-risk youth. Action Ste 11 p s I'Res onsible Par m tatus • Increase mobilization capacity and effectiveness of field Completed. Stay Focused Ministries' representatives (i.e. "foot soldiers")already directly "foot soldiers"intervene as needed within involved in local gang prevention activities.—Stay schools,neighborhoods and community Focused to create and maintain relationships. • Enhance preventive community policing efforts.— • Ongoing. Engaged in several community Bakersfield Police Department/Kern County gang presentations every month to Sheriff s Department educate public on issues surrounding local gang violence and involvement. • Engage the support of media through forums and on-air • Ongoing. Standing Committee and print dialogue:Joint City/County Standing consistently supports PSA's, editorials, Committee to Combat Gang Violence and on-air and print interviews. • Support community wide gatherings for prayer through • Ongoing. Kern Leadership Alliance participation of leaders in the public sector.—Joint City facilitates monthly and other prayer / County Standing Committee to Combat Gang gatherings that focus on pressing needs of Violence community, such as gang violence. • Continue fostering job growth particularly focused on • Ongoing. ETR co-sponsors community addressing the needs of at-risk youth and underserved job fairs in underserved communities(e.g. communities.—Kern County Employers' Training southeast Bakersfield, Arvin/Lamont, Resource Kern River Valley, etc.)and continues to work with local employers to develop employment and training opportunities to benefit both employers and job-seeking clients, including at-risk youth. New Life Recovery provides vocational education and training for at-risk youth with DOD Construction and Bakersfield College. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 15 Prevention Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide prevention approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Provide skills enhancement and support for parents of at-risk youth. Measures: Once granted supplemental funding,programs will serve 20%more parents of at-risk youth on an annual basis. Action Steps / Responsible Party Status • Allocate funding to expand Parent Project for training of Completed. Conducted Facilitator neighborhood stakeholders as an integral community- Training. Provided scholarships to oriented component of expanding services to parents of community partner staff focused on high- at-risk youth.—Kern County Board of Supervisors/ risk neighborhoods and Spanish-speaking Bakersfield City Council staff in outlying areas of Kern County. KCSOS increased Parent Project Facilitator trained staff in Kern County to 274 (34%increase). • Foster small group networks for parents.— • Ongoing. Kern County Superintendent of Community-based organizations/faith-based Schools has created a database for all organizations Parent Project facilitators and has expanded delivery of classes by 15% throughout Kern County. • Identify existing community assets that promote • Ongoing. Parent mentoring services increased spiritual, emotional and mental personal provided by Garden Pathways. DHS wellbeing for parents of former and current gang serves as clearinghouse for gang members, such as mentoring.— Social service County prevention information, including departments outreach, wallet cards and referrals. • Refer parents of targeted youth for support services.— • Ongoing. KCSOS coordinates early Community-based organizations/faith-based identification and referral of at-risk organizations students and their families to after-school programs, youth leadership development programs, diversion programs,tutoring, mentoring and parent skill building programs. Families and students that require services are identified by the use of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory tool. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 16 INTERNTNTION Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 17 Intervention Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide intervention approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Better leverage existing county "best practice"intervention programs. Measures: 20% increase in the number of"at risk"families and individuals served each year for a three year period. Action Steps /Responsible Party Status • Utilize Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Ongoing. Used GIS to identify target analysis to identify high density target areas, identify population/high density areas; Identified service providers, assess services gaps and overlap, and areas of need to assist Early Intervention create a collaborative resource allocation plan.— Kern Program,Adult High Risk Unit and Gang County Probation Department/GIS Subcommittee Intervention and Suppression Team. • Secure enhanced funding for the evidence-based "8% • Ongoing. EIP/ROPP operate in metro continuum"programs to be expanded throughout Kern and surrounding areas. Evidence based County: Early Intervention Program(EIP)and Repeat programming, such as Aggression Offender Prevention Program (ROPP).—Kern County Replacement Training,Teaching Pro- Board of Supervisors/Bakersfield City Council, Social Skills and Strengthening Families, Kern County Probation Department as well as Parent Project and Loving Solutions. Recovery Activities Program (RAP)is prevention/intervention program including drug education and tutoring. • Secure adequate funding for Parent Project, an evidence- based intervention program.—Kern County Board of • Completed. Supervisors/Bakersfield City Council • Secure adequate funding for evidence-based community • Ongoing. Implemented DR throughout intervention programs: Differential Response (DR), Kern County service areas. Community- Multi-Integrated Services Team (MIST) and local based, integrated case management and Family Resource Centers.—Kern County Board of Family Resource Centers are foundation Supervisors / Bakersfield City Council,Kern County for Kern's DR service model. Network for Children • Secure adequate funding for evidence-based programs • Completed. All of the Probation targeting gang members who are currently in the custody Department's commitment programs of the Probation Department: LEAPS (Life Excelerator (Kern Crossroads, Camp Erwin Owen Assessment of Personnel Skills), Cognitive Behavior, and Pathways Academy) are providing Social Skills Training and Aggression Replacement evidence-based programming. The Training.—Kern County Board of Supervisors/ recidivism rate for Kern County juvenile Bakersfield City Council,Probation Department, facilities is 16%, significantly lower than Mental Health Department the national average of 70%. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 1$ Intervention Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide intervention approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Build systems intervention capacity through enhanced collaboration with community-and faith-based organizations to ensure accountability of outcome based programs. Measures: 20%increase in the number of community-and faith-based organizational gang intervention projects for a three year period. Action Steps / Responsible Party Status • Identify and place responsibility for coordinating • Completed. Board of Supervisors, community-based and faith-based gang intervention through County Administrative Office, service expansion within a responsible,broad based,and oversee gang intervention service historically effective organization.–Kern County expansion and responsibilities. Board of Supervisors/Bakersfield City Council • Allocate funding for domestic violence intervention • Ongoing. Government entities, including strategies, including additional services to victims (e.g. Board of Supervisors and Bakersfield Alliance Against Family Violence, court mandated City Council, support local domestic training programs.)---Kern County Board of violence intervention strategies through Supervisors/Bakersfield City Council financial and other contributions. • Increase capacity for family involvement intervention • Completed. KCSOS, Garden Pathways strategies, including family mentoring, at risk leadership and Stay Focused Mentoring work closely programs, and school outreach programs.—Kern to support family mentoring. Several County Network for Children,Probation Project 180 youth participated actively in Department,Kern County Superintendent of Schools the 2009 Leaders in Life Conference. • Develop community-based youth substance abuse • Ongoing. Substance abuse treatment at treatment program.—Kern County Mental Health Blanton Ed. Center and Star Academy. Expanded adolescent treatment services. • Provide capacity building,outcome-based program • Ongoing. Efforts to Outcomes reporting development training for interested community system facilitates data capture and better partners.—Kern County Network for Children communication among agencies. • Integrate Workforce Investment Act Youth Activities • Ongoing. ETR encourages youth service with gang intervention strategies to target employment providers to develop targeted services for and academic efforts for at-risk youth.—Employers' foster youths,youths of incarcerated Training Resource,KCSOS,Kern High School Dist. parents and gang-involved/at-risk youth. • Secure funding for innovative"promising practice"gang • Ongoing. Board of Supervisors funds intervention programs.—Kern County Board of several innovative gang intervention Supervisors/Bakersfield City Council programs through Probation Department. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 19 Intervention Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide intervention approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Ensure that at-risk youth receive state-of-the-art prevention and intervention services designed to address the root causes of gang involvement. Measures:For three consecutive years, decrease number of at-risk youth that receive initial probation services. Aefion Ste s I Res onsl re'' ar Status • Create and fund a multi-agency and community • Ongoing. Multi-agency and community stakeholders Gang Intervention Strategy Task Force to stakeholders Task Force to be review national best practices,resource opportunities, convened. and service delivery models. Representatives to include: • Federal, state, and local elected officials • Representatives from relevant federal, state, and local agencies • Primary and secondary schools • Faith-based organizations • College/university • Private/public funded"expert" agencies. • Others as identified—January 2008 Kern County Board of Supervisors /Bakersfield City Council,Kern County Network for Children • Link gang intervention strategies with proposed gang • Ongoing. Department of Human prevention strategies, including: Services collaborates with Probation, o Directing social service County departments to Mental Health, etc. to ensure proper develop innovative best practices and pilot linkage of services for referred projects individuals, depending on unique needs o Increasing school-, faith-and community-based of family,parent and/or child. in-school and after-school programs to promote academic, recreational and vocational skills o Expanding relationships with business, community-based organizations/faith-based organizations and other non-traditional partners January 2008 Kern County Board of Supervisors/Bakersfield City Council,Kern County Network for Children Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 20 SUPPRESSION Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 21 Suppression Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide suppression approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Develop a process whereby local, state and federal agencies work together and share information to reduce criminal gang activity. Measures: Diminish duplication of efforts and establish greater working relationships between agencies to eliminate cross jurisdictional gang activity Action Steps 1 Res onsible Par Status • Establish regular forum for all law enforcement units • Completed. KCSD convenes monthly dedicated to gang suppression to meet and exchange meetings of Kern County Gang information.—All local law enforcement agencies Investigators Association to exchange information between law enforcement • Work with other agencies and increase periodic • Ongoing. Municipal, County, State sweeps of identified gang members.—All local law and Federal law enforcement agencies enforcement agencies -involved. • Establish a county-wide radio channel for • Completed. County Communication interoperable communications dedicated to all local Center established"Local Law gang units.—All local law enforcement agencies Channel"for direct communication among gang investigators in field. • Increase size and effectiveness of Kern County • Ongoing. Increased to 21 Sheriff's Department Gang Unit—Kern County commissioned personnel and 2 Sheriffs Department civilian personnel. • Augment utilization of the Gang Enforcement Team • Ongoing. Gang Unit trained 25 to assist in preparing and planning operations in G.E.T. members throughout Sheriff's outlying areas—Kern County Sheriffs Department, serving as liaisons for Department substations,patrol shifts&detectives. • Develop methods to disseminate gang related • Ongoing. Aggressively coordinated information received to all gang enforcement units and certified several law enforcement countywide and to those agencies not having gang agencies in use of Cal-GANG units.—Kern County Sheriffs Department database, an information data bank. • Conduct regional interagency operations targeting • Ongoing. In 2008, the Adult High communities with high levels of gang activity.— Risk Unit and GIST participated in 14 Probation Deputy Chief of Field Services multi-agency operations throughout Kern County with a total of 116 arrests of gang members. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 22 Suppression Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide suppression approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Create a Target Gang Unit within the District Attorney's Office. Measures: Decrease in most active known "shot callers"and gang leaders generating the most violent gang crime in Kern County Action Steps /Responsible Party Status • Establish six (6)new deputy district attorney, one (1) • Completed. gang crimes investigator and one secretary positions to staff a new unit to target the most active and violent gang members.—District Attorney Ed Jagels • Establish protocol to proactively identify and • Completed. prosecute targeted gang members.—District Attorney Ed Jagels • Coordinate with law enforcement agencies to conduct • Completed. District Attorney's Office probation and parole searches on the targeted gang has conducted three referenced members.—District Attorney Ed Jagels, Local law "sweeps." enforcement agencies • Prosecute all crimes committed by targeted gang • Completed. Ongoing and in place. members with emphasis on increased jail/ incarceration time.—District Attorney Ed Jagels Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 23 Suppression Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide suppression approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Expand Regional Gang Unit within the District Attorney's Ofce, Measures: Decrease gang violence by focused regional approach;Increase filing of gang cases by 15% Action Steps /Responsible Party Status • Establish protocol with regional agencies and law • Ongoing and in place. District enforcement for the investigation and submission of Attorney has one designated gang prosecution requests for gang related crimes.— prosecutor assigned to north Kern, as District Attorney Ed Jagels well as one to south and east Kern who work directly with agencies in those regions. • Provide training to law enforcement in the regional • Ongoing and in place. Lead attorney areas and those dealing with juveniles in the of Juvenile Office is member of the requirements of gang cases and testifying as an District Attorney's Gang Unit and expert witness.—District Attorney Ed Jagels personally reviews all cases submitted and confers with submitting agencies to ensure that they are indeed prepared for presenting their cases and providing expert testimony. Joint City/ County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 24 Suppression Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide suppression approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Ensure coordination between District Attorney's Office and local agencies on preparing personnel as expert witnesses and the legal requirements of gang cases. Measures: Increase law enforcement personnel trained as gang experts and increase legal knowledge of gang case requirements;Increase filing of gang cases by 15%. Action Steps / Responsible Party Status ; • Conduct training sessions with law enforcement on the • Ongoing and in place. District legal requirements of gang prosecutions and testifying Attorney personnel conducts training as a gang expert.—District Attorney Ed Jagels; All sessions for gang investigators on how local law enforcement agencies to testify as an expert. • Focus on fully informing newly appointed gang • Ongoing and in place. District deputies and gang officers with all legal requirements Attorney personnel meet monthly with of gang prosecutions, including issues with Regional Gang Investigators investigations, questioning, report writing and Association to discuss these issues. testifying.—District Attorney Ed Jagels; All local law enforcement agencies • Coordinate with regional substations and departments • Ongoing and in place. Regionally on their specific needs concerning the submission and assigned north and south/east Kern prosecution requests for gang cases.—District gang prosecutors work directly with Attorney Ed Jagels these agencies and personally handle their cases. • Coordinate with the District Attorney and other • Ongoing and in place. District certified trainers to prepare probation staff to testify in Attorney's Office provided training court as expert witnesses.—Probation Chief of Field sessions regarding courtroom testimony Services; District Attorney's Office for specialized Probation units. • Provide gang training for sworn and detentions staff— • Ongoing. Sheriff's Gang Unit trains in Sheriff Donny Youngblood Basic Academy and in Detention Deputy Academy. Also teach in Advanced Officer Training and attend roll call training weekly with detectives and patrol. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 25 Suppression Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide suppression approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Encourage local law enforcement agencies to further develop gang hotline, PSA campaigns and community involvement in suppressing gangs. Measures: Increase public awareness and community cooperation in the prosecution ofgang cases by increasing the number of witnesses assisting in prosecutions. Action Steps / Responsible Party Status • Continue conducting regular forums with faith-based • Ongoing and in place. community to address the public's relationship with law enforcement and concerns surrounding gang violence.—District Attorney Ed Jagels; All local law enforcement agencies • Expand the community forum model to outlying • Ongoing and in place. regions of Kern County in an effort to educate and involve the public on gang violence, as well as finding proactive solutions.—District Attorney Ed Jagels; All local law enforcement agencies • Develop and promote PSA campaigns to decrease gang • Completed. Developed informational violence.—All law enforcement agencies pamphlets, refrigerator magnets and information booths at public events to educate public on awareness. • Ensure proper implementation of protocol for the • Completed. 325-GANG is fully Communications Center to expeditiously transfer the operational. BPD Communications information to the Special Enforcement Unit or the Center answers line 24 hours and Officer in Charge.—Chief Bill Rector/Bakersfield transfers information to appropriate Police Department supervisor, officer or jurisdiction. • Continue public awareness campaign notifying the • Completed. 325-GANG given to public community of the Gang Activity Line.—Chief Bill by various sections of BPD on an Rector/Bakersfield Police Department ongoing basis, including Recreation and Parks literature and local media. • Develop a toll-free gang hotline into the • Completed. 888-599-GANG has already Communications Center.—Sheriff Donny generated several leads for investigators. Youngblood; Chief Bill Rector Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 26 Suppression Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide suppression approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Increase use of technology to assist in intelligence gathering and gang suppression. Measures: Decrease in known gang "hangouts"coupled with an increase in technology to assist in the arrest and prosecution o an members. np�r rft+i ;*,� �y �� `.� d n N v _ t ..�4 I' Xy 4ut rid�,;, • Increase surveillance efforts through the use of mobile • Ongoing. BPD Gang Unit has utilized camera technology to curb street narcotic sales, as well video surveillance and in process of as assist in undercover operations in high crime areas finalizing network of mobile and and known areas of gang activity.—Bakersfield Police stationary cameras to be used in areas Department with history of gang violence. • Develop a program by which all arrest information on • Completed. BPD implemented codified known gang members is routed to the gang unit which method within records management will, in turn, notify the District Attorney's Target Gang system for detailed tracking of any gang Unit of the arrest.—Bakersfield Police Department related issue and subsequent Gang Unit oversight. • Work with the Kern County Probation Department and the California Department of Corrections to develop a • Ongoing. Currently obtaining approval GPS-based monitoring system of gang offenders to purchase GPS devices. The capability released from custody.—Local law enforcement to operate a monitoring system for gang agencies; Probation Department; State Parole offenders and sex offenders is based on the ability to purchase these devices. • Utilize existing and future technology such as GIS (Geographical Information Systems),GPS (Global • Ongoing. Currently obtaining approval Positioning Systems), etc. to monitor identified gang to purchase GPS devices. The capability members and enforce Superior Court orders.— to operate a monitoring system for gang Probation Chief John Roberts; Local law offenders and sex offenders is based on enforcement agencies the ability to purchase these devices. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 27 Suppression Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide suppression approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Suppress criminal activities in Kern County through continued monitoring and supervision of gang members on probation. Measures: Decrease in criminal gang activity and gang violence in Kern County committed by pprobationers. _ lei tl Eppp �r . i iP, E� ` °' , • Establish an Adult High Risk Offender Unit to • Ongoing. The Adult High Risk Unit monitor identified gang members and other high risk established in February 2008 with 1 offenders to increase public protection.—Probation Probation Supervisor,2 Deputy Deputy Chief of Field Services Probation Officer III's and 4 Deputy Probation Officer II's with 4 positions currently vacant. • Enhance the Gang Intervention and Suppression • Ongoing. Enhanced investigation Team and Juvenile Aftercare Unit with additional units with 3 officers in anticipation of staff.—Probation Chief John Roberts the increased workload. The additional officers for the Gang Intervention and Suppression Team and the Aftercare Unit remain vacant. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 28 Suppression Goal: To develop a comprehensive countywide suppression approach to reduce criminal gang activity and violence in Kern County. Objective: Suppress criminal activities in Kern County through incarceration ofgang members. Measures: Increase jail bed space to allow for dedicated beds. �n ��.,. , i w " "Z:,°,- -`a '�fs ub"`p(�""a�" �'Nib `,�,h �" ., �i�•.s � h • Fill vacant positions.—Sheriff Donny • Ongoing. Currently 21 commissioned Youngblood personnel and 2 civilian personnel. • Commit 32+jail beds for housing of criminal gang . Ongoing. Sheriff Youngblood directed members.—Sheriff Donny Youngblood classification unit to focus keeping 32 beds open for gang members. • Increase capacity for beds.—Sheriff Donny • Completed. 192 gang members can Youngblood now be housed in more secure Lerdo Max-Med facility and Pre-trial facility. • Increase size and effectiveness of detentions gang • Completed. Two detention deputies intelligence personnel.—Sheriff Donny have been assigned to work with Youngblood Sheriff's Gang Section. • Develop protocols for filling gang bed space. • Ongoing. Classification unit and two Sheriff Donny Youngblood dedicated gang deputies have ongoing procedure in place to identify gang members to identify"shot collars" in custody upon arrest. • Allow the booking of gang members who have • Ongoing. Sheriff's Department, BPD misdemeanor warrants.-Sheriff Donny and DA's Target Gang Unit are in Youngblood communication with Sheriff's Classification unit to identify inmates with misdemeanor warrants that will not be cited or released early due to overcrowding because of their gang influence in the community. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 29 BUDGETARY DISCUSSION During these difficult economic times, it is particularly crucial that policymakers recognize that investments in gang prevention, intervention and suppression—such as those that have been made during the last few years—continue as a long-term effort. Otherwise, short-term gains will likely be overridden due to momentary fiscal difficulties. It is apparent that the current financial environment that our community faces is truly daunting. For precisely those reasons, the County of Kern and the City of Bakersfield made this commitment to stay the course and insulate these investments, as much as possible, from the expected fluctuations in our fiscal environment. Those realities are as true today as ever. One of the first critical steps toward the implementation of the Strategic Plan involved the Kern County Board of Supervisors' allocation of an unprecedented $24+million in 2007 to fund its objectives. The Board again reasserted those priorities in 2008 during the annual budget hearings. As noted in the original Strategic Plan, the commitments initially requested within the document entailed permanent annual budget funding earmarked specifically for the purpose of combating gang violence in Kern County. The eruption of gang violence in Kern County did not arise overnight and, as such, will not be resolved instantaneously. Nevertheless, it is clear when observing the improving trends related to gang violence since 2005 that our efforts are certainly on the right track. The Board of Supervisors demonstrated its confidence in this plan's holistic approach that has been instrumental to its success by accordingly funding each of three key elements of the Strategic Plan. These tumultuous economic times have heightened concern that priorities may waver or shift as fiscal realities rise to the fore. Though understandable, policymakers have shown—through both perception and actuality—that public safety and gang abatement remain one of the top priorities in our community. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 30 Traditionally, suppression efforts in Kern County have received the lion's share of resources, relative to both prevention and intervention. The scope of our work has required equitable treatment of prevention and intervention efforts in order to make a lasting and significant impact on the future of at-risk youth. As noted in the budgetary discussion above, for the first time in our County's history, gang prevention and intervention received an unparalleled level of funding to address the needs of youth prior to them entering a life of crime and gang involvement. From the beginning, it has been unrealistic for the County and City to wholly subsidize this endeavor, though they are the primary financial stakeholders that have set the example for business and other sectors to consequently follow suit..As this Strategic Plan evolves, and as the economy improves, there will be a greater expectation for the business community to also share in this communitywide responsibility. CONCLUSION As a community, we have finally begun to contend with several long-standing issues that have amplified the undercurrent of concern: • Increasing numbers of gang-involved youth • Increasing levels of serious crimes committed by young gang members • Limited resources • Disengaged families • Lack of sufficient culturally and ethnically relevant dialogue These difficulties are indeed manifestations of the significant need for direct and overt action. The oftentimes blatant disregard for human life exhibited by younger and younger gang members speaks to this immediate need. Some community members have gone as far as calling youth gang members "street terrorists" since they disavow any sense of common decency as they seek to intimidate our communities. We refuse to accept that this must remain the reality for too many lost youth. Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 31 Community members continue to suggest a wide range of possible solutions that we will continue to explore as this process develops. Some have been implemented, while other innovative ideas and solutions to these complex issues must still be developed and discussed. For instance, in the last couple of years, we have met with current and former gang members to have frank discussions with those already in "the lifestyle" and have learned from these conversations as to how we can better prevent vulnerable youth from venturing upon this dangerous and violent path. We have worked to expand access to after-school programs during non-traditional hours (e.g. early evening, weekend.) We have met quarterly to continue learning about the state of gang violence in our community. While we may be winning this current fight against gang violence, the war against this unfortunate reality is far from over. Combating gang violence must remain a priority within the community and greater efforts to collaborate between and across all sectors must persist. Only with thorough consideration by all stakeholders will new, innovative ideas come to fruition and possibly bear fruit benefiting our community at-large. Over time, the Joint City / County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence will require continued direct self involvement in the implementation and evaluation of the action steps noted above. There are many key players that have invested their invaluable time and expertise in recent months and years to ensure the successful implementation of this Strategic Plan. To them we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude. We look forward to other sectors of our community also joining us as we move on to the next phase of the Kern County Gang Violence Strategic Plan. As was true in 2007 and remains today, Kern County still truly requires an "All Hands on Deck" mentality to directly fight gang violence! Let our work continue.... Joint City/County Standing Committee to Combat Gang Violence 32 74W Nilding Lives of Kern County Our organization is continuing its efforts in building of strengths within the community. We will be a strong voice for a mobilized community advocating real opportunity for its residents. Affiliates of NBA: C&B Development Enterprise One God Peace Coalition (OGPC) One God Only (OGO) ern Minority Contractors Association Stay Focused 92mmmi Impact Adults: We will provide education and training. Children: They will live in a safe environment. Businesses:Increase the volume of profit because of increased community pa trons. Social Services: Their services will be accessible within the community and will be responsive to individuals within the community. Leadership Development Program for High Risk Young Adults Each program effort will be in collaboration with individuals,families,community organizations,schools and the private sector to help prepare program participants to face challenges and overcome obstacles they may face in the future. By attending this program, young adults will: • Learn the importance of leadership. • Examine some classic examples of what leadership is and is not. • Learn the difference between leadership and power. • Understand that leadership is a process and not a trait. • Explore the many different roles of leadership. • Learn how to improve your leadership communication. • Focus on what leaders do rather than who they are. • Learn what actions Ieaders engage in that really make a difference. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE OR WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION: 661-717-8716