Local News in Brief : 2 New Anti-Gang Steps

Two small steps in the battle to curb lucrative drug-dealing by violent Los Angeles street gangs--a pilot job program and formation of a federal-state law enforcement task force--were put into effect Tuesday by local and federal officials.

The task force came under immediate attack by Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates, who characterized the federal legal assistance as “little crumbs from Washington,” and said “we need more.”

The $500,000 job program was proposed by Councilman Robert Farrell and unanimously approved by the City Council, despite skepticism that hard-core gang members will abandon drug-dealing for lower-paying legitimate jobs. It is expected to take several months to get the vocational training program running, and the money appropriated will cover only 100 jobs.

To avoid the appearance of rewarding gang members, council members directed the program at “high-risk youths.” Several council members noted that a lot of youngsters who have not joined gangs have been unable to find good jobs.