Youth and Gang Programs David L. Carter Michigan State University.

Youth and Gang ProgramsYouth and Gang Programs

David L. CarterDavid L. Carter

Michigan State UniversityMichigan State University

Program Sites

Victoria’s Gang Prevention Program Mission’s School-Based Youth Program Kingsville’s Gang Identification &

Suppression Program El Paso’s Drive-by Shooting Response Team Corpus Christi’s Juvenile Enforcement Team

(JET)

PREDOMINANT POLICING PROBLEMS PREDOMINANT POLICING PROBLEMS Gang membership and associated offenses (e.g., Gang membership and associated offenses (e.g., graffiti, assault, etc.) graffiti, assault, etc.) Theft Theft Vandalism and nuisance offenses Vandalism and nuisance offenses Drug, alcohol,and tobacco abuse Drug, alcohol,and tobacco abuse

CHARACTER OF THE PROBLEMSCHARACTER OF THE PROBLEMS Gang problems appear to grow geometrically Gang problems appear to grow geometrically Problems represent underlying social decay Problems represent underlying social decay Costly to repair/replace damages Costly to repair/replace damages Lowers community’s quality of life Lowers community’s quality of life

Youth and Gang ProgramsYouth and Gang Programs Basic Principles Basic Principles


INTENT OF CRIME-SPECIFIC INTENT OF CRIME-SPECIFIC POLICE RESPONSESPOLICE RESPONSES Identify and arrest offenders Identify and arrest offenders Suppress growth of endemic problems (notably gangs) Suppress growth of endemic problems (notably gangs) Prevent future youth and gang problems to the extent Prevent future youth and gang problems to the extent possible possible

GENERAL OBSERVATIONSGENERAL OBSERVATIONS Programs must be Programs must be continuouscontinuous Programs must be proactive, frequently non-traditional Programs must be proactive, frequently non-traditional


KEY FACTORSKEY FACTORS

Problem youth appear to have idle time which Problem youth appear to have idle time which needs to be filled needs to be filled Peer pressure appears to be have more influence on Peer pressure appears to be have more influence on many youth than parents and/or educators many youth than parents and/or educators Many problem youth appear to lack a sense of Many problem youth appear to lack a sense of belonging to a family or to a constructive social belonging to a family or to a constructive social group group

Victoria’s Gang Prevention Victoria’s Gang Prevention ProgramProgram

SITE DESCRIPTIONSITE DESCRIPTION 63,000 Documented 63,000 Documented Resident Population Resident Population 35 Square Miles 35 Square Miles 103 Sworn Officers 103 Sworn Officers 39 Non-sworn 39 Non-sworn

YOUTH OFFICERSYOUTH OFFICERS Investigator Assigned Investigator Assigned to Public Housing to Public Housing 5 Officers Assigned 5 Officers Assigned to Schools to Schools ++ Sergeant at Alternative Sergeant at Alternative High School High School ++ 2 Officers at High School 2 Officers at High School ++ 2 Officers at Junior High 2 Officers at Junior High


PURPOSEPURPOSEProactively use a variety of integrated approaches to suppress Proactively use a variety of integrated approaches to suppress existing gang activity and prevent future gang involvementexisting gang activity and prevent future gang involvement

The program has eight integrated elements…The program has eight integrated elements… Graffiti Education and EradicationGraffiti Education and Eradication Gang Education (community and schools) Gang Education (community and schools) Adopt-A-Gang Adopt-A-Gang Retaliation Reaction Retaliation Reaction Gang Grand Jury Gang Grand Jury Personal Protection Classes Personal Protection Classes Schools-Malls-Community Anti-Gang Programs Schools-Malls-Community Anti-Gang Programs Promotion of “Legitimate Large Gangs” Promotion of “Legitimate Large Gangs”


CRITICAL FACTORSCRITICAL FACTORS The most effective tools are… The most effective tools are… ++ Building a bond of trust with gang members Building a bond of trust with gang members ++ Communicating with gang members (and families) Communicating with gang members (and families) ++ “Showing respect” to the gang member “Showing respect” to the gang member

PROGRAM EFFECTSPROGRAM EFFECTS Gang violence has decreased Gang violence has decreased Gangs still exist, but they are less visible Gangs still exist, but they are less visible Gangs have taken on a “more social” character and are Gangs have taken on a “more social” character and are less involved in criminal enterprises less involved in criminal enterprises

Mission’s School-Based Youth Mission’s School-Based Youth ProgramsPrograms


YOUTH OFFICERSYOUTH OFFICERS Youth Services Youth Services Division--3 School Division--3 School Districts Districts 15 Officers (21.6%) 15 Officers (21.6%) Assigned to Schools Assigned to Schools ++ 8 ERO’s (High School) 8 ERO’s (High School) ++ 2 GREAT (Jr. High) 2 GREAT (Jr. High) ++ 5 DARE (Elementary) 5 DARE (Elementary)


PURPOSEPURPOSEDeciding that “heavy handed” policing was not effective, the Deciding that “heavy handed” policing was not effective, the MPD began an aggressive partnership with the school districts MPD began an aggressive partnership with the school districts to provide a to provide a program-basedprogram-based police presence in the schools. police presence in the schools.

Officers roles include...Officers roles include... Teaching (D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T.) Teaching (D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T.) Guest lectures in classes Guest lectures in classes Answer calls in the schools they are assigned to Answer calls in the schools they are assigned to Provide counseling to students Provide counseling to students Serve as an information/intelligence resource for Serve as an information/intelligence resource for youth-related crime youth-related crime

PURPOSEPURPOSEDeciding that “heavy handed” policing was not effective, the Deciding that “heavy handed” policing was not effective, the MPD began an aggressive partnership with the school districts MPD began an aggressive partnership with the school districts to provide a to provide a program-basedprogram-based police presence in the schools. police presence in the schools.

Officers roles include...Officers roles include... Teaching (D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T.) Teaching (D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T.) Guest lectures in classes Guest lectures in classes Answer calls in the schools they are assigned to Answer calls in the schools they are assigned to Provide counseling to students Provide counseling to students Serve as an information/intelligence resource for Serve as an information/intelligence resource for youth-related crime youth-related crime


POLICIES AND PRACTICESPOLICIES AND PRACTICES School districts pay the officers’ salaries during the School districts pay the officers’ salaries during the academic year (177 days) academic year (177 days) During the summers… During the summers… ++ School officers receive mandated training School officers receive mandated training ++ Attend special assignment-based training (e.g., Attend special assignment-based training (e.g., D.A.R.E. in-service) D.A.R.E. in-service) ++ Assigned to patrol Assigned to patrol A review board from the schools selects officers A review board from the schools selects officers Supervision… Supervision… ++ Principal supervises for curriculum-related matters Principal supervises for curriculum-related matters ++ Sergeant supervises all other facets Sergeant supervises all other facets


CRITICAL FACTORSCRITICAL FACTORS Officers must be self-initiated and communicativeOfficers must be self-initiated and communicativeOfficers must be given administrative flexibilityOfficers must be given administrative flexibility Schools must make an officer feel like “one of the Schools must make an officer feel like “one of the family” family” Honesty, sincerity with students is essential Honesty, sincerity with students is essential It must be clear that the officer will enforce the law It must be clear that the officer will enforce the law when necessary when necessary ++ He/she is not a “soft touch” He/she is not a “soft touch” ++ No undue influence from schools on crime No undue influence from schools on crime control decisions control decisions


PROGRAM EFFECTSPROGRAM EFFECTS Notably fewer gang problems in both the schools Notably fewer gang problems in both the schools and throughout the city (largely displaced) and throughout the city (largely displaced) Fewer reported crime problems in schools or on Fewer reported crime problems in schools or on school property school property Enhanced communication and liaison with schools Enhanced communication and liaison with schools to help solve crimes and symptomatic problems to help solve crimes and symptomatic problems Significant increase in communication between Significant increase in communication between police and community (students and parents alike) police and community (students and parents alike) General increase in the quality of relationship with General increase in the quality of relationship with the community the community

Kingsville’s Gang Kingsville’s Gang Identification & SuppressionIdentification & Suppression


ASSIGNMENTSASSIGNMENTS Two primary officers Two primary officers assigned to youth assigned to youth programs programs Other officers used as Other officers used as needed needed Chief takes an active Chief takes an active role role


PURPOSEPURPOSEBecause of the emergence of gangs, a program Because of the emergence of gangs, a program focusing on the schools, parents and at-risk youth was focusing on the schools, parents and at-risk youth was developed to suppress current gang activity and developed to suppress current gang activity and prevent gang growth. prevent gang growth.

The program was not instituted as a result of a specific The program was not instituted as a result of a specific plan, rather elements were included to meet needs or plan, rather elements were included to meet needs or issues as they became apparent to the policeissues as they became apparent to the police


The program has several elements…The program has several elements… Day and evening curfews Day and evening curfews School Liaison Officer received gang training School Liaison Officer received gang training Patrol officer on each shift was designated as a Patrol officer on each shift was designated as a gang officer to monitor and report gang activity gang officer to monitor and report gang activity A “Parents on Patrol” was developed; A “Parents on Patrol” was developed; predominantly work in the schools as hall monitors predominantly work in the schools as hall monitors A “bike clinic” was established for the summers A “bike clinic” was established for the summers Graffiti eradication program Graffiti eradication program Police respond to gang fights in schools Police respond to gang fights in schools Police work with the school to ban “gang colors” Police work with the school to ban “gang colors” Tobacco ordinance passed as a tool for investigation Tobacco ordinance passed as a tool for investigation


CRITICAL FACTORSCRITICAL FACTORS Recognition that complete eradication of gangs is Recognition that complete eradication of gangs is not a realistic goal; not a realistic goal; controlcontrol is realistic is realistic Recognize that crime problems will change, so new Recognize that crime problems will change, so new program elements must be constantly developed to program elements must be constantly developed to meet the evolving problems meet the evolving problems Be flexible, creative, and open to ideas Be flexible, creative, and open to ideas

PROGRAM EFFECTSPROGRAM EFFECTS Most serious problems have been eliminated Most serious problems have been eliminated “Wannabe” gang participation down “Wannabe” gang participation down significantly fewer problems in the schools significantly fewer problems in the schools Better communication with parents Better communication with parents

El Paso’s Drive-By Shooting El Paso’s Drive-By Shooting Response TeamResponse Team

SITE DESCRIPTIONSITE DESCRIPTION 614,000 Documented 614,000 Documented Resident Population Resident Population 257 Square Miles 257 Square Miles 1,182 Sworn Officers 1,182 Sworn Officers 230 Non-sworn 230 Non-sworn

DSRT StructureDSRT Structure Work all gang related Work all gang related investigations investigations 5 officers 5 officers 24 hour on-call basis 24 hour on-call basis Work “straight Work “straight through” investigation through” investigation Physically located next Physically located next to Juvenile Probation to Juvenile Probation and Juvenile Service and Juvenile Service


PURPOSEPURPOSEFollowing growth in gang activity and increasing numbers of Following growth in gang activity and increasing numbers of drive-by shootings, the DSRT was formed as an element of the drive-by shootings, the DSRT was formed as an element of the department’s gang response. The intent of the DSRT is to department’s gang response. The intent of the DSRT is to quickly and effectively identify and arrest suspects in gang-quickly and effectively identify and arrest suspects in gang-related crime.related crime.

DSRT works closely with…DSRT works closely with… Gang Intelligence Unit which keeps track of gang Gang Intelligence Unit which keeps track of gang members and trends in gang activities members and trends in gang activities Community Response Against Street Hoodlums Community Response Against Street Hoodlums (CRASH) units working as proactive enforcement (CRASH) units working as proactive enforcement out of the patrol commands out of the patrol commands


CRITICAL FACTORSCRITICAL FACTORS An immediate “frozen” crime scene and control of An immediate “frozen” crime scene and control of witnesses by first responding officers witnesses by first responding officers Fast response by DSRT regardless of time Fast response by DSRT regardless of time Ability to work “straight through” a case Ability to work “straight through” a case Reliable, on-going intelligence Reliable, on-going intelligence Investigators getting to know the gang members, their Investigators getting to know the gang members, their families, and “showing respect” to gang members families, and “showing respect” to gang members On-going, reliable confidential informants On-going, reliable confidential informants Strong relationship with District Attorney Strong relationship with District Attorney Support from administrators to operate creatively Support from administrators to operate creatively Dedicated personnel making the “extra effort” Dedicated personnel making the “extra effort”


PROGRAM EFFECTSPROGRAM EFFECTS The DSRT’s current clearance rate is 93% The DSRT’s current clearance rate is 93% Roughly 90% of the DSRT’s arrests occurred Roughly 90% of the DSRT’s arrests occurred within 24 hours of the call out within 24 hours of the call out The DSRT seized 61 weapons from gang members The DSRT seized 61 weapons from gang members in a 28 month period in a 28 month period While gangs still exist, their presence has become While gangs still exist, their presence has become less visible less visible

Corpus Christi’s Juvenile Corpus Christi’s Juvenile Enforcement Team (JET)Enforcement Team (JET)

SITE DESCRIPTIONSITE DESCRIPTION 276,880276,880 Documented Documented Resident Population Resident Population 140 Square Miles 140 Square Miles 395 Sworn Officers 395 Sworn Officers 207 Non-sworn 207 Non-sworn

ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION JET has 10 to 15 JET has 10 to 15 officers officers Organized in the Organized in the Special Services Special Services Division of the Field Division of the Field Services Bureau Services Bureau Originally part of the Originally part of the patrol division patrol division

PURPOSE PURPOSE The Corpus Christi Police Department systematically The Corpus Christi Police Department systematically enforces both a night-time and a daytime juvenile enforces both a night-time and a daytime juvenile curfew curfew A curfew center located in a sub-station is the site A curfew center located in a sub-station is the site where nighttime curfew violators can be taken, while where nighttime curfew violators can be taken, while the YMCA operates a truancy center as a repository the YMCA operates a truancy center as a repository for daytime curfew violators for daytime curfew violators The police department also fields a Juvenile The police department also fields a Juvenile Enforcement Team (JET) that emphasizes curfew Enforcement Team (JET) that emphasizes curfew enforcement enforcement


PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION By June 1996 increased public concern about gangs By June 1996 increased public concern about gangs and drive-by shootings led the police department to and drive-by shootings led the police department to examine its youth-focused tactics and programs examine its youth-focused tactics and programs JET was intended to be a concentrated effort on JET was intended to be a concentrated effort on juvenile curfew enforcement juvenile curfew enforcement Assumption was that gang activity and gang-related Assumption was that gang activity and gang-related crime could be reduced if... crime could be reduced if... ++ Curfews were aggressively enforced Curfews were aggressively enforced ++ Parents had greater information and accountability Parents had greater information and accountability


PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONPROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Aggressive enforcement followed a 2 week public Aggressive enforcement followed a 2 week public information campaign for students and parents information campaign for students and parents “Zero Tolerance” policy “Zero Tolerance” policy Some complaints from parents, but generally strong Some complaints from parents, but generally strong public support public support Use of curfew center and YMCA cut down on time Use of curfew center and YMCA cut down on time required to enforce curfews required to enforce curfews


CRITICAL FACTORSCRITICAL FACTORS

Availability of curfew centersAvailability of curfew centers “Zero Tolerance” policy “Zero Tolerance” policy Having a team of officers (JET) specifically Having a team of officers (JET) specifically responsible for curfew enforcement responsible for curfew enforcement Inter-related mission of JET to also deal with gangs Inter-related mission of JET to also deal with gangs


PROGRAM EFFECTSPROGRAM EFFECTS

At the outset, increase in number of curfew citations At the outset, increase in number of curfew citations Decreased victimization of juveniles Decreased victimization of juveniles Decreased offenses committed by juveniles Decreased offenses committed by juveniles Increased arrests of juveniles for offenses other than Increased arrests of juveniles for offenses other than curfew violations curfew violations


Youth and Gang ProgramsYouth and Gang ProgramsImplicationsImplications

As simple as it sounds, the first stage is to identify...As simple as it sounds, the first stage is to identify... The existence of youth problems The existence of youth problems The character/dynamics of those problems The character/dynamics of those problems

The goals of youth programs are to:The goals of youth programs are to: Resolve immediate serious problems Resolve immediate serious problems Suppress growth of dysfunctional behavior Suppress growth of dysfunctional behavior Displace crime phenomena Displace crime phenomena Develop preventive programs Develop preventive programs

Accomplishing these goals requires integration ofAccomplishing these goals requires integration of Community policing Community policing Tactical policing Tactical policing Problem solving Problem solving

Youth and Gang ProgramsYouth and Gang Programs

DISCUSSIONDISCUSSION

David L. Carter

Michigan State University

Youth and Gang Programs David L. Carter Michigan State University.

Documents

problems gang problems

gang programs david

future youth

future gang involvement

sworn officers

existing gang activity

growth of endemic problems

junior high slide