Santa Ana OKs Aggressive Plan to Fight Gangs

Responding to a public outcry for a renewed war on gang crime, the City Council on Monday approved a major program to help fight gang violence by doubling the city’s after-school recreation program, encouraging jobs for local youths and providing incentives for neighborhood improvements.

Voting unanimously, the council approved a sweeping proposal by Councilman Miguel A. Pulido Jr., one of two Latinos on the council, that also included anti-graffiti measures.

Pulido said before the City Council meeting that his plan would include not only education, crime suppression and prevention programs, but would also emphasize the creation of new jobs.

Pulido stressed that the hundreds of thousands of dollars his plan would cost would not result in increased taxes. For example, he said, the city could provide residents with incentives to improve their neighborhoods by spending money saved from reduced graffiti removal to pay for recreational programs.

Pulido’s plan was spurred by the fatal April 15 shooting of Mauro V. Meza, a Santa Ana father of three, which outraged the community. Meza, his relatives and some friends were leaving the Santa Ana High School campus after a pickup basketball game when at least one alleged gang member opened fire on them in an unprovoked attack. Police said Meza had no gang affiliation.

During Monday’s council meeting, Pulido outlined his plan, which included some proposals made by Santa Ana attorney Alfredo Amezcua before the Meza shooting.

Under Pulido’s 17-page proposal, the city’s Human Relations Commission will add six new positions to address youth concerns. The plan will also double the funding for the city’s anti-gang program, Project PRIDE, from $75,000 to $150,000.

Pulido said he recognized that the city could not win the war against gangs by itself.

“The city can’t do it all. The gangs can’t do it all. The schools can’t do it all. Together I think, we can do it all,” he said.

Other programs will:

Create a new gang prevention director position to be assigned to the city’s Community Development Agency and made responsible for helping to find jobs for the city’s youth by strongly urging local businesses to hire them.

Open a new recreational facility, such as a gymnasium, within 30 days.

Set aside $250,000 in an incentive program to pay for programs for improved neighborhoods.

At a press conference on the steps of City Hall shortly before the council meeting, Amezcua challenged the City Council to adopt his plan. Amezcua had proposed creating a year-round, after-school and weekend recreation program, increasing day care and starting parenting programs.

His main idea is to provide jobs and pride in the community, Amezcua said. For example, rather than having the city pay contractors to remove graffiti, Amezcua’s plan would employ at-risk youths to do it.

As he was flanked by about 70 community leaders and gang members, Amezcua said: “This is the day the city can make a difference. These youngsters are not here for handouts. They are asking for a chance to participate, a chance to be part of the solution. They are saying, ‘Give me a job.’ ”

After the council’s vote, Amezcua had mixed reactions. He said he approved of the city taking action against the growing gang problem but wished the council had stressed youth jobs more.

But the tough-talking attorney called the action a “tremendous beginning.”

At the news conference, Amezcua said, “We don’t want just talk, Mayor. We don’t want to see limited action, Mr. City Manager. We want some resources.”

Amezcua, who was offered a non-paying post on the Human Relations Commission, said, “I would seriously consider whether I’m being asked to be part a bureaucratic group or part of a hands-on commission.”