BUENA PARK : Anti-Gang Program Geared for Parents

A program to get parents involved in dissuading youths from joining gangs will start next month.

“We’ve found in our research that a gang prevention program or any kind of delinquency program is doomed unless we involve our parents,” said Barbara Baiz, the city’s gang prevention adviser.

Baiz teaches a gang education program called Positive Avenues for Youth to fifth-graders.

The program is being expanded to give parents of “at-risk youths” support and information about preventing gang involvement, Baiz said.

“It’s critical that we provide parents with the information that empowers them to take control over their children,” said Police Chief Richard M. Tefank.

“Many parents who are dealing with at-risk kids or involved in dysfunctional families do not understand their rights and responsibilities. Through this type of program and support they would gain from other parents in similar situations, impacting the involvement of their children in gang or criminal activity.”

Tefank said getting parents involved is only a part of the strategy to combat gang activity.

“From my experience, a lot of parents don’t realize their children are involved in gang and criminal activity; they don’t know how to control their children,” he said.

“Is this a solution to the overall gang problem? No. Is it part of the solution? Absolutely. Not one thing is the solution to this problem. There are a variety of strategies to be undertaken. But this to me is a very important part of the strategy.”

The City Council this week voted to award a contract to Soledad Enrichment Action of Los Angeles to operate the program in Buena Park. It will consist of two-hour sessions each week for 20 weeks, beginning in March.

Soledad Enrichment Action will receive $6,000 for each 20-week session. Baiz said up to four of the series may be held this year.

The cost of the parent program will be paid with some of the money from a $90,000 grant the city received from the state Office of Criminal Justice Planning for gang prevention.

Parents selected to participate will be identified and referred through school officials, law enforcement agencies and probation departments.

Baiz said topics to be covered include: understanding the judicial system; how to manage anger, conflict and confrontation; styles of parenting; and a parent’s role in intervention as it relates to alcohol, drugs and gangs.

“To win back our streets, it’s important to reconstruct those families, and it will provide long-term benefits for the community,” Baiz said.