Santa Monica : Panel to Study Gang Issues
Concerned about the effects of the Los Angeles Police Department’s recent crackdown on gangs, the City Council on Tuesday decided to establish a staff “working group” on gangs and gang-related problems in Santa Monica.
“The gang sweeps in South Los Angeles concerned me if the problem was going to be swept into Santa Monica,” said Councilman Alan Katz, who introduced the proposal.
The working group will evaluate the Santa Monica Police Department’s ability to combat gangs and drug traffic in the city. If it finds the department inadequately equipped to handle gang problems, Katz suggested that the group determine if any increases in the department’s 1988-89 budget will be needed to supply what is needed.
By establishing a group composed of members of the courts, police and social services departments, local schools, churches and businesses, the council hopes to help promote a coordinated community effort to combat gangs and their possible influx into Santa Monica.
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