SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — The Sunnyside City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss, and maybe implement, a few steps in tackling the city’s violent crime problem.
Council members will talk about and possibly take action toward hiring temporary police officers, adding more clerical help in the Police Department and purchasing a second license plate reader for police vehicles among other proposals.
City leaders have taken a get-tough attitude about gangs after several shootings this year. A trio of councilmen —Don Vlieger, Paul Garcia and Mike Farmer — have been compiling a list of potential changes with the help of Sunnyside Police Chief Ed Radder and Deputy Chief Phil Schenck.
“We’re going to get very aggressive,” said Vlieger, a retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy. “This is not a place where you want to be a gang member.”
Last week, monday, april 12 the City Council unanimously approved spending up to $72,000 on a K-9 program for the Police Department.
Also, though it won’t be ready for a council decision Tuesday, Schenck has been drafting a proposed crime-free housing ordinance that would regulate tenant-landlord agreements.
The meeting will be 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Sunnyside Law and Justice Center, 401 Home St.
— Ross Courtney
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/04/16/sunnyside-council-meets-tuesday-to-tackle-gang-violence
Showing posts with label intervention. Show all posts
Showing posts with label intervention. Show all posts
Friday, April 16, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Yakima PD gang intervention coordinator promoted
YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima Police Department's gang intervention coordinator was promoted on Monday to the rank of sergeant.
Office David Cortez replaces Sgt. Scott Levno, who retired after 20 years with the force. Cortez joined the department in 1993, and spent six years on patrol, five years in investigations and three years with the gang unit.
For the past three years, he has been coordinating the department's Gang Resistance Education and Training program, and often gives speeches and holds parenting classes related to youth violence.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/03/02/ypd-gang-intervention-coordinator-promoted
Office David Cortez replaces Sgt. Scott Levno, who retired after 20 years with the force. Cortez joined the department in 1993, and spent six years on patrol, five years in investigations and three years with the gang unit.
For the past three years, he has been coordinating the department's Gang Resistance Education and Training program, and often gives speeches and holds parenting classes related to youth violence.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/03/02/ypd-gang-intervention-coordinator-promoted
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
New comprehensive youth gang project
YAKIMA, Wash. -- There have been many attempts to curb Yakima County's gang problem, but it continues to grow. Organizers of the Yakima County Comprehensive Youth Gang Project say this time it'll be different.
"I'm optimistic because we've actually brought everyone together and we're all going in the same direction. When communities try to go ten different directions to solve a social program it doesn't work. This will work, I guarantee it," said Harold Delia, court administrator, Yakima County Courts.
This new plan attacks the gang problem from all angles, prevention, intervention and suppression. It's targeted at high risk children ages twelve to twenty one. Kids that are involved in gangs or likely to join.
Herold recalls a conversation he had with a former gang leader. "And he said to me, I'll never forget this 'If you don't want 'em, we'll take 'em' and I think that's what this is all about, the community has to step up and say we want you because the gangs will provide that service if we don't," said Delia.
Aimed at engaging youth the project includes: After school programs, school re-entry assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment, the development of positive recreational activities, and specialized mentoring.
The group includes a who's-who of Yakima Valley leadership and Yakima County Commissioner Kevin Bouchey said it's going to take everyone to tackle the gang problem.
"If we have a community that's not actively engaged in this that just becomes a breeding ground or fostering ground for gang activities," said Bouchey.
Now this ambitious project is only being funded by $200,000 from the state, but Delia said they'll be getting $500,000 in August from the federal government and that's renewable for three years. They've also applied for a Gates grant.
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?s=11960219
"I'm optimistic because we've actually brought everyone together and we're all going in the same direction. When communities try to go ten different directions to solve a social program it doesn't work. This will work, I guarantee it," said Harold Delia, court administrator, Yakima County Courts.
This new plan attacks the gang problem from all angles, prevention, intervention and suppression. It's targeted at high risk children ages twelve to twenty one. Kids that are involved in gangs or likely to join.
Herold recalls a conversation he had with a former gang leader. "And he said to me, I'll never forget this 'If you don't want 'em, we'll take 'em' and I think that's what this is all about, the community has to step up and say we want you because the gangs will provide that service if we don't," said Delia.
Aimed at engaging youth the project includes: After school programs, school re-entry assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment, the development of positive recreational activities, and specialized mentoring.
The group includes a who's-who of Yakima Valley leadership and Yakima County Commissioner Kevin Bouchey said it's going to take everyone to tackle the gang problem.
"If we have a community that's not actively engaged in this that just becomes a breeding ground or fostering ground for gang activities," said Bouchey.
Now this ambitious project is only being funded by $200,000 from the state, but Delia said they'll be getting $500,000 in August from the federal government and that's renewable for three years. They've also applied for a Gates grant.
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?s=11960219
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Yakima to receive $500,000 for anti-gang effort
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yakima County would receive a half-million dollars to fight gang problems under a final spending bill expected to be signed by President Barack Obama, Sen. Patty Murray announced Wednesday.
The money would go toward a multi-agency effort to turn kids away from gangs or keep them from joining. The initiative would include police, schools and social service agencies.
In a statement released by the Washington Democrat’s office, Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin credited voters with approving a sales tax to support law enforcement efforts across the county.
“Unfortunately, given the rapid increase in gang-related crime and violence, we need more assistance in the areas of gang prevention, intervention and suppression,” Irwin said. “We believe we need state and federal assistance in meeting this incredible challenge to our community.”
It’s unclear when the Senate and House will send the bill to the president for his consideration.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/09/yakima-county-in-line-for-500-000-in-gang-prevention-funding
The money would go toward a multi-agency effort to turn kids away from gangs or keep them from joining. The initiative would include police, schools and social service agencies.
In a statement released by the Washington Democrat’s office, Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin credited voters with approving a sales tax to support law enforcement efforts across the county.
“Unfortunately, given the rapid increase in gang-related crime and violence, we need more assistance in the areas of gang prevention, intervention and suppression,” Irwin said. “We believe we need state and federal assistance in meeting this incredible challenge to our community.”
It’s unclear when the Senate and House will send the bill to the president for his consideration.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/09/yakima-county-in-line-for-500-000-in-gang-prevention-funding
Monday, August 10, 2009
Yakima- another front in the war on gangs
YAKIMA -- The focus on Yakima's gang problem so far, has been on suppression... Fighting fire with fire. You create havok, we create another emphasis patrol. And while a heavy police presence is a piece of the solution, even they know it will take much more.
This rundown building is one of a half a dozen faith based or non-profit organizations also fighting the gang problem in Yakima. But instead of battling for the high ground. They are battling for the hearts and minds.
Inside, Alex Santillanes is searching for another grant to support his efforts. He has run the local chapter of Neighborhoods United... "Barrios Unitos" for ten years.
He cringes at the thought of the city giving Yakima police $80,000 to run a new emphasis patrol for just thirty days.
"What could you do with $80,000? Well, with $80,000 I have ran my program and I have worked with over 2-300 young people."
And run it for an entire year.
Santillanes knows better than to think there is a quick fix to a 40-year old problem here.
...And so do those he's guided away from gang violence.
Marcelo Alvarado is a former gangbanger. "I was doing the shootings. I was doing the drugs. I was beating up people, stabbing you know."
Alvarado knows how to play the system only half as well as gang members do today.
"A cop can only do so much because he works his shift and he thinks like a gang member for that shift. And when he goes home, he has to be a family man. These gang members are 24 hours a day. They only think about making money, getting their prestige and their clout and making a name for themselves."
When city councils and cops think about making a difference in gang violence, Santillanes and Alvarado know first hand how effective prevention can be. The question they have for Yakima is, who's willing to invest it that piece of the puzzle?
This rundown building is one of a half a dozen faith based or non-profit organizations also fighting the gang problem in Yakima. But instead of battling for the high ground. They are battling for the hearts and minds.
Inside, Alex Santillanes is searching for another grant to support his efforts. He has run the local chapter of Neighborhoods United... "Barrios Unitos" for ten years.
He cringes at the thought of the city giving Yakima police $80,000 to run a new emphasis patrol for just thirty days.
"What could you do with $80,000? Well, with $80,000 I have ran my program and I have worked with over 2-300 young people."
And run it for an entire year.
Santillanes knows better than to think there is a quick fix to a 40-year old problem here.
...And so do those he's guided away from gang violence.
Marcelo Alvarado is a former gangbanger. "I was doing the shootings. I was doing the drugs. I was beating up people, stabbing you know."
Alvarado knows how to play the system only half as well as gang members do today.
"A cop can only do so much because he works his shift and he thinks like a gang member for that shift. And when he goes home, he has to be a family man. These gang members are 24 hours a day. They only think about making money, getting their prestige and their clout and making a name for themselves."
When city councils and cops think about making a difference in gang violence, Santillanes and Alvarado know first hand how effective prevention can be. The question they have for Yakima is, who's willing to invest it that piece of the puzzle?
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