The Mayor’s Gang Prevention Initiative
The Mayor’s Gang Prevention Initiative is a multi-dimensional community enhancement program, directed by the City of Fresno’s Police Department. The Initiative is comprised of two bodies: The Advisory Board and the Service Providers.
The Advisory Board includes representatives from local law enforcement, education, health, social services and community organizations. The Advisory Board will evaluate emerging trends, set policy direction, facilitate interagency collaboration and troubleshooting, and monitor the progress of the Service Providers. The Service Providers will include social services providers, community-based organizations and faith-based organizations. The Service Providers will implement the Advisory Board's direction and provide direct services to youth and their families.
A primary objective of the Initiative will be to provide recommendations for services based on this coordinated approach, with a focus on developing a continuum of service that focuses on: prevention, intervention, suppression, re-entry and economic development. Through grassroots organizing and public/private partnerships, the Initiative will assist former gang involved members, at risk youth and ex-offenders by developing stable collaborations among youth, parents, service providers, educators, and businesses. These collaborations will divert potentially dangerous gang involvement into positive and productive educational, employment, and developmental paths. Simultaneously, these unprecedented societal partnerships create a new generation of leaders and role models who enrich and enhance their community’s viability.
Mayor’s Gang Prevention Initiative Summary Pyramid
Mayor's Vision Statement:
FRESNO - A proactive city taking a collaborative approach toward confronting gang violence and social problems facing at-risk youth and residents, by providing employment opportunities and alternatives to gang involvement by promoting successful and productive homes, schools and neighborhoods.
Goal:
Bringing Governmental agencies together with a multitude of community organizations and residents to form a partnership serving the City of Fresno.
Key Objectives:
- Remove validated gang members from the gang lifestyle.
- Prevent wanna-be/associate level youth/adult from validation/escalating into full gang membership.
- Return "school drop-outs" who are validated or wanna-be/associate level youth/adult gang members back into the educational system.
- Facilitate the employment of gang involved individuals who have a desire to leave the gang lifestyle.
Values:
- INTEGRITY
- RESPECT
- ADVOCACY
- HONESTY
- ACCOUNTABILITY
- COLLABORATION
- PROFESSIONALISM
The Initiative’s Key Result Areas:
Prevention:
Equipping at-risk youth with skills to develop their potential by providing alternatives to violence, gangs and drugs.
Intervention:
Working directly with gang-affiliated youth, encouraging them to reject violence, crime and drugs while redirecting their energies into positive channels.
Suppression:
Through pro-active enforcement, eliminating the cycle of crime and street gang violence, reducing fear within the community.
Re-entry:
Providing ex-offenders and ex-gang members with social, educational, vocational, interpersonal, and parenting skills that support successful reintegration into society and the family unit to reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Economic Development:
Providing opportunities throughout the City of Fresno for a variety of economic activities vital to the health, welfare, and prosperity of the community.
If you would like to get involved or for more information:
Contact Lisa Cross at (559) 621-2353
Memorandum of Understanding