Taking Back the Streets

The urbanization of Orange County has focused attention and resources on the problem of gangs. How is the county doing? A new report by the Orange County Children’s Services Coordinating Committee offers some mixed findings.

The report noted that gang-related violence had dropped since 1993, a change attributed to a crackdown by local police and prosecutors. However, the study identified a sharp 43% increase from August 1993 to December 1996 in membership in gangs and tagger crews. For children 8 to 14, the membership reportedly rose by nearly 40% while membership by adults older than 22 rose by 64%.

These findings suggest that efforts targeted at gang violence appear to be working, but increased membership indicates that there is much work to be done in providing constructive alternatives for children and young adults.

Efforts aimed at identifying potential gang members need to be redoubled, and those who have argued for better prevention programs need support. These include such things as providing community centers, after-school programs and job training. Efforts by groups like the Orange County Congregation Community Organization, which has done extensive work in Anaheim and Santa Ana, demonstrate the potential for faith-based efforts to assist in dealing with these problems in conjunction with city halls, law enforcement agencies and local clergy.

What successful neighborhood reclamation programs seem to have in common is the enthusiastic commitment of participants to take charge in neighborhoods. The remarkable success of one project in Anaheim, the Kodiak Street walks organized by Police Officer Bill Moss, offers specific evidence. Two years ago, Moss and local residents began walks through the neighborhood, looking for trouble. Where they found it, security lights were installed, garbage was tied up and the gang that threatened the neighborhood was routed.

John Poole, Anaheim’s code enforcement manager, identifies deep commitment as key to success. He said, “Passion is what it takes for this kind of work, where you can’t turn things around overnight, and it has worked.” This seems to be true in every aspect of attacking the problem of gangs.

By restoring safety to a neighborhood, it enjoys renewed confidence. Morale improves when the violence goes down. By confronting their fears, community members are engaged. Even youngsters help identify graffiti.

Being on the job has worked far better than having police called to the area three or four times a day for robberies. By holding regular meetings and walks, a sense of community is established. Moss, the organizing officer, has continued his walks, even after taking a new assignment in another part of the city.

A number of those working in this area have noted that much depends on building positive psychological feelings about the community and about the future. This is true not just with victims of gang activity, but with those who might be candidates for membership. The Probation Department’s program to intervene early with minors at high risk of becoming repeat offenders is a good example of constructive intervention in the hope of turning young lives around.

The recent report looks at the larger picture, and each community faces its own set of problems. But as Supervisor William G. Steiner noted, the report sponsored by the county, United Way of Orange County, the PacifiCare Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and the Center for the Collaboration of Children at Cal State Fullerton shows that children are facing a lot of pressures and problems in the environment of many communities.

How the county responds is a test of its commitment and its vision.