IRVINE : Conference to Focus on Gang Violence

Irvine Valley College is sponsoring a conference next week where criminal justice teachers and students will be able to take a closer look at battling gangs and gang violence.

The Lambda Alpha Epsilon American Criminal Justice Assn. national conference, called “Gangs in the 1990s: a Criminal Justice Perspective,” will be held Monday through Friday at the Holiday Inn Irvine, 17941 Von Karman Ave.

The conference is open to the public.

“The gang problem is growing rapidly on a national scale,” said Jess Craig, dean of admissions and enrollment services at Irvine Valley College.

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult for law enforcement personnel to deal with mounting numbers of gang members when budget restrictions and sometimes public denial add to the problem.”

On Monday, a crime-scene investigation workshop will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A crime will be simulated and students will be given clues to solve it in order to gain practical investigation experience.

A job fair will also be held that day, and participants can meet with representatives from various state law enforcement agencies to discuss job opportunities.

Speakers at the conference will include Sgt. West McBride of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who will speak on African-American gangs.

Detective Mike Martin of the Garden Grove Police Department will discuss Vietnamese gangs.

And Detective R.K. Miller of the Huntington Beach Police Department will talk about white supremacist groups.

For more information, contact Craig at (714) 559-3409.