ORANGE : Expert on Gangs Stresses Parental Role

Some of the tactics police use to curb gang activity are actually increasing it, a gang expert on Thursday told a group of about 35 Orange County law enforcement officials, politicians, educators and community activists.

Malcolm Klein, the director of social science research at USC, said sweeping operations by police that attempt to arrest members of a particular street gang and sponsored activity programs for specific gangs are detrimental because they reinforce a member’s identification with the gang.

Klein, who was invited to address the group, gave a three-hour lecture on the proliferation of gangs.

He offered a solution to the county’s burgeoning gang problem.

“Orange County was once thought to be immune from gang activity, but that sentiment was nothing more than denial,” he said. “Gangs are the byproduct of the community; we need to work there. Parents have to take the lead role in making sure their kids stay out of gangs.

“The dilemma is that if police focus on a gang as a whole, either through rehabilitation or suppression, they are inadvertently building it up. Most gangs are very loosely organized, but their numbers increase and members become more cohesive once they are sought out.”

Klein said a 2-year-old anti-gang project in Westminster known as TARGET (Tri-Agency Resources Gang Enforcement Team) may be an exception if its success holds up.

The project, which is serving as a model for other programs in the county, has reduced gang violence 60% over two years by arresting gang leaders, Westminster Police Chief James Cook said.

Law enforcement officials said 15 other gangs have been identified in the county this year, bringing the number up to at least 300.