Anti-Gang Proposal Hits Stumbling Block

A comprehensive anti-gang program aimed at Los Angeles middle schools appeared likely to be adopted despite disagreements about which schools should be targeted, City Council members said Tuesday.

L.A. Bridges, a $9.1-million program to revamp the way the city funds and organizes gang-prevention efforts, hit a stumbling block Monday when the council’s Community and Economic Development Committee voted against sending the plan to the full council.

Councilman Mike Hernandez, who was part of the ad hoc committee that unanimously approved the plan, nevertheless voted to delay the project as chairman of the Community and Economic Development Committee. Hernandez said the 18 schools targeted by the ad hoc committee were not necessarily those most adversely affected by gang violence.