Informed Opinions on Today’s Topics : Seeking Ways to Help End Gang Warfare

The story of Stephanie Kuhen, the 3-year-old girl killed by gang members when the car she was riding in made a wrong turn in Cypress Park, has put more pressure on police and political leaders to do something about gang violence. Gang activity has recently increased, in part because a peace treaty among Latino gangs apparently has fallen apart.

Last week, in response to the recent violence, Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer called for a citywide anti-gang program, and city and county officials have announced plans for a countywide gang czar.

What should be done to stop gang violence?

William (Blinky) Rodriguez, one of the lay ministers who convened the gang peace summit in October, 1993.

“I look at the spiritual aspect and the decay that has been happening over the past 20 years. . . . [A lack of jobs] is probably another important complaint. . . . The private sector, the business people in this community, they really need to question how much you are willing to put back into the community. That’s one of the first questions we get asked when we drive up to a neighborhood. ‘Hey, can you get me a job?’. . . Through the Gospel we can change the hearts of young people and after changing their hearts we must equip them for a better life.”

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Feuer:

“We have to have joint City Council hearings of the Public Safety and Community and Economic Development committees and get around the table people from social service groups, the LAPD CRASH Unit and educators all together talking with each other about what’s working . . . . We need to have a very candid and direct conversation with the people on the streets. . . . I believe very strongly we need to be focusing not only on punishing the violence in a very tough way but on working to prevent it in the first place.”

Sister Beth McPherson, vice president for mission and human resources at Holy Cross Medical Center and head of the Northeast San Fernando Valley Violence Prevention Coalition:

“It’s a combination of things working together. One is educating the youth about violence, its causes and its effects, and helping them understand their role in the community.”

Dr. Linda Rhodes, clinical psychologist of Catholic Psychological Services with Catholic Charities:

“You have to help them find a way to resolve their problems. They haven’t really been given any skills to cope with the problems. If we could reach children who are at risk through psychological services . . . the impact is going to ripple as the result.”

Lt. Fred Tuller, LAPD Valley Bureau, Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (CRASH):

“Basically, in law enforcement we have to have a combination in enforcement and information gathering concerning gangs and we have to reduce the public perception or fear of gang violence. . . . Secondly, we have to interact with other private groups that are dealing with gangs as well. There has to be interest and interaction among all of these agencies. . . . We all have to be speaking the same language and working for the same goals.”