Police List Uses for $1 Million in Grants

Police plan to use nearly $1 million in grants for programs to prevent domestic violence and gang membership, for conflict mediation training for at-risk youth, and for gang-related research.

In a presentation to the City Council on Tuesday, Police Chief James Cook outlined the uses for various grants the department has received for the upcoming year. He stressed the importance of including prevention programs to deal with an expected increase of youthful offenders in the next five to 10 years.

“Violent crime by young people is increasing rapidly,” Cook said. “In Orange County, youths aged 15 to 19 will increase 10% by 2000 and 61% by 2010. We’re looking at a massive influx.”

The federal and state grants, Cook said, will help “target certain things that cause the most problems in the community.”

Among the problems that affect children early in life, Cook said, is domestic violence. With $200,000 from the U.S Department of Justice, the department can step up efforts to reduce repeat offenses and prosecute abusers when victims refuse to testify, he said.

The program will provide more training for officers and follow-up counseling for families and children. It will also provide a victims’ advocate through the Women’s Transitional Living Center.

A $300,000, 18-month state grant will knit together various youth and social service agencies to reduce delinquency and gang involvement, Cook said. The program will include counseling, after-school activities, mentor programs and job-search training.

An additional grant will provide funding for research into juvenile crime and gang involvement among Vietnamese refugee youth in the city, Cook said.

Council members praised the police department’s ideas.

“This is an action plan rather than a reaction plan,” said Councilman Frank Fry Jr. “It’s the new way to handle crime in America.”