LA HABRA : Officials Praise Anti-Gang Group

City and school officials delivered messages of praise and caution to more than 60 members of an anti-gang community group last week, including serious concerns about the impact of proposed state budget cuts.

City Manager Lee Risner told the audience at the meeting that the city could lose at least $1.8 million in state revenue this year. He also warned that the cut could threaten public safety.

Risner said La Habra is already facing a $1-million shortfall in its $13.1-million budget. He added that about 81% of the general fund is spent on public safety.

“I’m here to tell you there will be serious repercussions,” Risner said. “This town cannot afford these kinds of shenanigans from Sacramento.”

Risner urged the grass-roots group of residents, community and church leaders and officials from the city and school district to contact their state officials. The group is called Residents Against Gang Existence, or RAGE.

During the 2 1/2-hour meeting, guest speakers commended the community group’s efforts to extinguish gang presence in the neighborhoods and schools. The group has conducted quick graffiti abatement, tutoring programs for at-risk children and Neighborhood Watch programs.

Police Chief Steven Staveley and Richard Hermann, superintendent of the La Habra City School District, praised the crowd for having an anti-gang program in place months before the Los Angeles riots erupted.

But Hermann warned that Los Angeles’ cost to recover from its riots could leave less state money available for La Habra’s anti-gang and drug programs.

Possible fund-raising activities were discussed--such as a 10-K run later this year. The group has already raised about $4,000 in private donations from 36 local businesses.

There were also pledges of support from the local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Mary’s Home committee and the Mayor’s Task Force on Drug Abuse and Prevention.

Six different RAGE committees gave reports on their goals and recent accomplishments, including a dress code beginning in September that will prohibit “gang-related” attire at Sonora and La Habra high schools.

The list of prohibited clothing will be updated annually as trends in gang attire change.