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Description: Northern Virginia has seen an increase in violent crimes committed by street gangs, and youth throughout the region are being recruited for gang membership at increasingly younger ages. There has been a gang presence in Arlington for a number of years and some areas in the county have been identified with gang activity. Youth in these identified areas are particularly vulnerable for recruitment and membership. Criminal and delinquent behaviors are largely learned and reinforced in the gang culture. It is critical that caring adults and peers in the community address an adolescent's basic needs. Research is necessary to identify risk factors, establish base line information and gather data on successful intervention. Statistics regarding gangs includes information from the Police Gang Unit that there were 150 total incidents of crimes attribute to gangs between January-September, 2004. The majority of these crimes were vandalism, graffiti, and assaults. In addition, the 2004 results of the Youth Risky Behavior Survey administered to students in Grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 in Arlington indicates about 10 percent of Arlington youth in the grades surveyed reported being in a gang and one-third of young people reported having a friend who is in a gang. The Arlington Public Schools will use the 2005 Congressional Earmark funds to focus on providing increased support for prevention and intervention of gang activity among youth. The goals of the project are to: improve monitoring of youth and young adult offenders that have been involved in gang related activities; develop a comprehensive approach to gather gang information using data collected in conjunction with a research partner from a local university; foster a partnership with the Sheriff's Office and Police Gang Unit; support the efforts of Sheriff's Intelligence/Gang Unit in monitoring and tracking gang activity; maximize police officers' time in the field; increase the ability to store and share gang information and photographs with other law enforcement and corrections personnel across the region; increase knowledge and networking as a result of gang training opportunities for police officers; provide youth with positive alternatives that will assist them in making healthy choices; prepare youth for gainful employment; train teen in identified neighborhoods to be teen leaders and role models; and, provide support to middle school youth in positive decision making as part of a small group cohort.
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| Arlington Public Schools (94888831) |
$247 |
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Locality |
1426 North Quincy Street
Arlington,
VA
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Citation
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Source:
Appropriations Report Language - Conference
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Reference:
Pub. L. No. 108-447
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Method:
User entered excerpt
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Citation Excerpt: $250,000 for Arlington County, VA, for gang suppression;
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