Anti-Gang Initiative Preventative Action

How do we save children from the influence of gangs and hate groups while making it economically sustainable? 

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Pool together resources and areas of expertise. Know ledge is key; it gives a more promising future and saves school districts and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. See our at-risk students as a resource to invest in, rather than as a drain on the system. Take proactive steps to keep our children engaged in learning and out of the criminal justice system.

Mission of the Youth Crime and Violence Task Force 

Established in summer of 1996.

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The Task Force supports the development and coordination of strategies that address issues of youth crime and violence by facilitating communication and collaboration w ithin Lehigh County.

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Participants include Police, Judges, Education, Community representatives, Public Defender, District Attorney, Human Services, etc.

Initiatives under Task Force      

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Operation Night Light Information Sharing Legislation Serious Habitual Offender Program Gang Aw areness Conferences Anti-Truancy Initiatives Mentoring Conferences Route 222 Anti- Gang Initiative Gang Prevention Efforts Next steps: Stronger attention on Gang Intervention w ith focus on employment and vocational skills.

THE 222 CORRIDOR Gang Prevention Task Force 2007

Assessment of Gang Problem Lehigh University Dr. Tina Richardson The purpose of the assessment w as to gather and summarize quantitative and qualitative data regarding the prevalence of gangs and their effects on public safety and quality of life in the city

Gangs and Hate Groups along The 222 CORRIDOR Gangs               

Bloods Crips Trinitarios Latin Kings Netas Fellaset MS 13 BBD Gordon St Boys Goonies Cash Money Boys Acres Production2 ND12th St Cumberland Street Los Solidos

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Hate Groups Keystone State Skinheads - Racist Skinhead National Socialist Movement - Neo-Nazi The Creativity Alliance - Neo-Nazi The Israelite Church of God in Jesus Christ - Black Separatist

Programming Funded- 222 Approximately $200,000 

Over 25 Community Based programs w ere funded for nearly 2 years under this Initiative.

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Funding ended in summer of 2009.

NOW WHAT? 

Lehigh County Gang Prevention and Intervention committee.

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Build community supports to combat gang activity.

Goals to Reduce Gang Involvement  

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Increase academic performance Increase school attendance Promote involvement in pro social activities Develop aw areness of the reality of the gang life style Increase utilization of youth serving organizations Improve youth’ s behavior in the community Recruit assistance and involvement from the community Reduce Involvement in the Juvenile Justice System Improve family involvement and relationship

According to the Gates Foundation 

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Each year the economy loses $33 Billion due to drop outs. 6 th

If a grade student fails English, Math or any other tw o courses, they have a significant risk of not graduating. If w e increase the male graduation rate by 5% there w ill be an estimated $4.9 billion in crime related savings.

% of dropouts gone in 9th grade

35%

% of dropouts gone in 10 th grade

27%

% of dropouts gone in 11 th grade

19%

% of dropouts gone in 12 th grade

19%

US graduation rate

70%

PA graduation rate

77.6%

Students of color graduated in 4 years

50%

Drop out data 2008-2009 for grades 7-12 from PDE Report County School Districts

School Population

No. of Drop Outs

% of Total Population

Lehigh

24,239

580

2.40%

Northampton

22,422

287

1.30%

Carbon

4,633

52

1.10%

Berks

33,075

726

2.20%

Bucks

44,866

260

0.60%

1,905

7.6%

Total 

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129,235

Approximately 50% of youth drop out for unknow n reasons according to PDE for 2008-2009. According to PSEA the average state tuition reimbursement is betw een $2000-$6000 per school district. If 25% drop out because of gang/delinquent behavior the lost revenue for the 5 school districts w ould amount to

$2,856,000

Keeping ONE High Risk Youth in School and Crime/Drug FREE can Save Taxpayers $1.9-$2.3 Million Dollars 

According to the publication, New Evidence on the Monetary Value of Saving a High Risk Youth (December 2007) Vanderbilt Law and Economics Research Paper No 08-07, 1.9 to 2.3 million taxpayer money is saved by keeping ONE high risk youth in school and crime/drug free. $1,900,000 x 476 = $904,400,000 in taxpayer savings

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The National Gang Center estimates that 32.4 percent of all cities, suburban areas, tow ns, and rural counties (more than 3,330 jurisdictions served by city and county law enforcement agencies) experiences gang problems in 2008. This is a 15% increase since 2002.

Alternative School Placement Out of district Alternative School Placement is an option used by many districts alike, how ever the expense associated w ith such programs can be costly for the home district.

Average Alternative Placement Cost 25% of total Dropout’s

118

Program cost

$105/day

No. of School Days

181

Cost per School Year

$2,242,590

Misc Cost (Transportation)

$10,000/ school yr

Per day rate is based on average cost of four alternative placement programs in the Lehigh Valley

A Tale of Two Boys Above Average Student Actively Involved In Programs

Average Student Not Involved in Programs

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

Total Lost Revenue

$6,000/ 5 yrs $30,000

$6,000/3 yrs $18,000

$6,000/4 yrs $24,000

($72,000) $0

$6,000/ 5 yrs $30,000

$6,000/ 1 yr $6,000

Alternative Placement/1 yr $19,005

(69,015)

Alternative Placement /2 yrs $38,005

$6,000/ 1 yr $6,000 Dropped Out in 11 th Grade $12,005

Anti-Gang Initiative Mission Statement Create a procedural framew ork for school districts in the fight against gangs. This information is based on the OJJDP' s Comprehensive Gang Model, and designed to apply to all types of schools.

Improve the communication and involvement between school districts, law enforcement, and community agencies 

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Schedule meetings betw een probation, SRO’ s, community agencies, and schools. Create a formal process for referring students to law enforcement and community agencies. Appoint a school district point person for information sharing. (Director of Security, SRO’ s, School Administrators) Establish a formal process to report and catalogue all gang suspected activity. (pictures, student lists, anonymous tips) Use SRO’ s and community officers (CO’ s) to talk w ith students in classrooms. Encourage school boards to adopt policies that help improve communication. Establish or participate in a focused community task force involving all stakeholders. (Included churches and local businesses)

Create an easy to use system for school districts to share information & resources 

School point people w ill have access to our w iki space and other recommended sites.

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An active and updated list of school point people should be distributed across counties.

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Establish a set meeting schedule for point people, SRO’ s and CO’ s across school districts and municipalities. School districts must closely examine how they can share gang programs, staff and resources w ith other districts. (speakers, materials, joint grants, & information)

Use meaningful and coordinated professional development on gangs and hate groups to enhance awareness among schools and the community 

Set a budget for professional development on gangs and commit to specific programming annually.

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Include community members and service providers in professional development to share information and decrease cost.

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Professional development should go beyond “ Gang 101 – Identification” . It should encourage community activism, student mentorship, and school involvement . Professional development should include the OJJDP’ s Comprehensive Gang Model and a Gang Risk Survey

Create and support school district policies that address gangs and hate groups. 

Define the term “ gang/hate group” in school district policy and create a detailed procedure for addressing the issue.

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Establish a system of communication for policy change and recommendation from building level staff to central administration.

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Use a community task force and existing agencies/programs to obtain data to support policy enforcement or change.

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Encourage school board members and school administrators to analyze district policies or practices that discourage community agencies from assisting.

Provide, identify and publicize positive prevention and intervention programs for school age children  

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Utilize effective prevention programs. (GRIPE, GREAT) Create and support active afterschool and summer programs to keep children engaged. (Boys & Girls Clubs, 21 st Century Community Service Centers, Kids of Character, Pre-Apprentice Program) Recognize and rew ard students involved in these programs to maximize use. Promote positive behavior, character development, independent living skills, and employment skills. Utilize speakers w ho have “ turned their life around” and hold follow up meetings to discuss issues. Provide intensive mentorship and leadership development programs (Multicultural Student Leadership Conference) Hold family programming (family fun night, movies, carnivals) Maintain an active list of community services and points of contact. Create a referral based system for community services to assist families.

Establish a College, Career and Opportunity Center in your high school 

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Utilize databases to research college and career options (careercruising.com). Post and publicize college scholarships, grants, and loan programs. Hire a coordinator or use guidance staff for personnel. Attend college/career fairs in the area. Schedule college admissions staff, community professionals, and military recruiters to talk w ith students. Coordinate internship and job shadow experiences w ith local employers. Post local job opportunities for students in the center

collaborative and cost-effective

Plan 1. 2.

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Action Phase

Establish a meeting schedule w ith point people Improve gang/hate group related communication w ithin and betw een school districts Improve collaboration w ith law enforcement and the community Examine systems to share information: w iki space, w ebsites, speakers, programs, etc. Examine professional development w ithin school districts Identify and publicize positive prevention and intervention programs for implementation to reduce dropouts and gang activity

“Networks of Care Resource Directory” Lehigh County Network of Care: http://lehigh.pa.netw orkofcare.org/mh/home/index.cfm Direct to Network of Care resource directory: http://lehigh.pa.netw orkofcare.org/mh/resource/find.cfm Community Services for Children: Community Resource Book http://www.cscinc.org/docs/community_resource_booklet_2009-2010.pdf Valley Wide Help – Online resource database http://www.irissoft.com/vwhp/

Valley Wide Help printed resource directory can be purchased at the “ American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley”

Anti-Gang Initiative Subcommittee 

Harrison Bailey III Assistant Principal Parkland High School [email protected] 610-351-5600

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Lorenzo Canizares PSEA Organizing Specialist [email protected] 800-622-2270 or 717-761-8009 610-308-0783 (cell) Andrew DeAngelo Community Justice Planner [email protected] 484-226-4609 Kevin Deely President, Easton Area Education Association [email protected] 610-258-8862

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Robert H. Creveling PSEA Eastern Region Field Director [email protected] 800-322-9032 or 610-391-0835

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Vivian Robledo-Shorey Supervisor of Minority Affairs & Acting Director of Student Services Bethlehem Area School District [email protected] 610-861-0500 Jose Rosado Allentown School District Director of Community & Student Services [email protected] 484-765-4000

Maureen Foster PSEA Associate [email protected] 800-322-9032 or 610-391-0835