ANAHEIM : Symposium Targets Violence by Gangs

The groundwork for a citywide task force to combat gang violence by providing incentives for teen-agers to stay out of gangs was established at a symposium sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

A wide spectrum of about 20 community members, including youth counselors, former gang members, school district representatives, local residents and the police, met to discuss their concerns about the increasing amount of gang activity and possible solutions.

“When kids are bored, with nothing to do, they conjure up something exciting,” said Phil Aguilar, a former gang member and current pastor of Set Free Christian Fellowship.

The group discussed the changing scope of gang activity in the city. It has expanded from a few specific areas in the past to its now widespread involvement in a number of neighborhoods. Police Department reports presented at the meeting estimated a 50% increase in gang involvement from 1988 to 1989.

Virtually all members of the group said that offering young people alternatives to gang activity was the best way to prevent gang involvement. Most also agreed to meetings between the youths and former imprisoned gangsters who have now shunned gang life style.

“They tell me they’re in a gang because that’s all they know,” said Veronica Chavez, a counselor at Turning Point, about many of the youths with whom she works. “It takes someone else to come in and teach them alternatives.”

The group established an informal network with plans to convene again when members are ready to put the ideas into concrete projects.