Santa Ana Plans to Boost Anti-Gang Measures : Youth: Increased recreational programs, a hot line for reporting gang activity and expansion of a self-esteem program in schools are among the city’s goals.

Responding to a community demand for a renewed war against gangs, city officials on Thursday disclosed preliminary plans to increase recreational programs for youth, establish a hot line for reports of gang activity and expand a self-esteem program to more local schools.

During the meeting, which included neighborhood representatives and some gang leaders who have met weekly to work out a truce among rival gangs, Mayor Daniel H. Young previewed what is expected to be the city’s plan for attacking the reported increase in gang membership and crimes.

“We are in it for the long haul,” Young told the group of about 60 residents who had gathered to explore ideas. “We are in it for a real solution and not just a Band-Aid.”

The recent riots in Los Angeles, the mayor added, gave Santa Ana “a rude awakening . . . that the problem is right outside our own neighborhoods.”

The plan is scheduled to go to the City Council on June 15 and is still being finalized, officials said. Young said that City Hall would be used to provide organizational support for the programs that are developed.

Earlier Thursday, Councilman Miguel A. Pulido Jr., who is coordinating the city’s study, said the plan will probably incorporate most of the initial recommendations made by Santa Ana attorney Alfredo Amezcua, who called for an orchestrated attack against the problem in April.

Although largely ignored at the time, Amezcua’s words seemed prophetic a week later when a nursery deliveryman was killed and two relatives wounded by suspected gang members after a pickup game of basketball at Santa Ana High School.

The shooting sparked a community outcry that prompted city officials to re-examine their efforts.

Amezcua congratulated gang members for their truce sessions and urged each Santa Ana business owner to support the gang members by hiring them at least through the summer months.

“They are making this city safe,” Amezcua said. “Now I ask you, what are we willing to do for them?”

Fernando Leon, one of the organizers of the weekly gang meetings in local parks, echoed Amezcua’s sentiment.

“Support us,” Leon said, “What do we mean by support? Jobs. That’s the No. 1 thing.”

Earlier Thursday, Pulido said that while officials are considering new programs, such as the construction of a gymnasium for boxing and other youth sports, other established programs such as the Project PRIDE still are considered among the most successful.

The proposed city budget for next year calls for the expansion of PRIDE, a self-esteem program, from 18 to 22 schools.

“Even though it does not sound real sexy and new and hot,” Pulido said, “I really believe there’s something there we cannot ignore.”

He said better coordination is needed among the city, churches and community groups that already have gang-prevention programs.

“We need to reprogram some of our activities so that there’s things for kids to do after school,” Pulido said.

The athletic programs, he added, could begin at current facilities until a new gymnasium is built with redevelopment funds.

Two proposals suggested by Amezcua have been rejected by the staff, Pulido said, including a witness-protection program to shield crime witnesses who otherwise would not testify for fear of retribution.

“Frankly, that’s something the city cannot do,” Pulido said, because city does not have the resources to carry out the task.

Another suggestion that may be unworkable, he said, was placing a gang-prevention officer in each of the Police Department’s six districts.

Although Santa Ana had hoped to tap the resources of gang prevention specialists in Los Angeles, that prospect quickly vanished in the Los Angeles riots.

“What happened in Los Angeles did set us back just in the sense that some of the input we were seeking all of a sudden was not there to be found,” Pulido said, adding that social workers were too busy to even take calls from Santa Ana officials.