The recent conference at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice focused on addressing national trends in prosecution, crime prevention, and criminal justice strategies.  Among the Opening Day speakers was Cyrus Vance, the New York County District Attorney (DA), who set the tone for the conference with his thesis “a crime prevented is much more valuable than a crime prosecuted.”

to read the full story and learn more about "Community Prosecution" - click here

I am soooo excited! Yesterday we held a bidder's conference for a recent Request for Proposal (RFP) to secure gang prevention and intervention services in the County. The focus of the funds is to build collaboration and coordination, as such, the RFP has a preference for partnerships implementing the proposed activities.

Without prompting, one of the agency representatives ask to find out where each of the other agencies provided services, so that they could better develop partnerships for the proposal. Many of the agencies expressed that this was the first time they had come into contact with the others. Everyone agreed on sharing their information and I am excited to see what develops and the proposals that come in!

To that end - if you are an agency interested in applying for one of the available mini-grants through this RFP and would like to find out where the other agencies provide services, but did not attend the bidder' conference - HERE IS YOUR CHANCE! In the comments section for this blog, enter your: Name, Agency/Program Name, Phone Number, and what Board of Supervisor District you provide services. come back often over the next week to see who posts!

grant funds in Visalia.pdf (20.42 kb)

An article from the Visalia Times Delta (link above) speaks to one of the City's strategies to fund gang prevention efforts by refocusing an exisiting funding stream. Having prioritized addressing gangs as an issue they instituted a means to support that priority within current available resources.

Applicants for the grant program need to attend a grant-writing workshop to be eligible; details include

Nonprofit workshops

The city of Visalia, working through Visalia's Citizens Advisory Committee, awards $160,000 a year to nonprofit groups. Applicants for upcoming grants must attend a grant-writing workshop at City Hall West, 707 W. Acequia Ave., Visalia, on one of the following dates and times:

In speaking with a colleague regarding the young boy in Fresno who was tattooed with a dog paw as a gang marking, there was mention that if under 18 a young person could obtain permission from a parent or legal guardian to get a tattoo. I was sure this was not the case.

To clear the air, I looked up the California Penal Code in regards to tattooing minors, and in fact it is illegal to tattoo anyone under the age of 18 with or without parental permission.

"California Penal Code 653.  Every person who tattoos or offers to tattoo a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a misdemeanor.
   As used in this section, to "tattoo" means to insert pigment under the surface of the skin of a human being, by pricking with a needle or otherwise, so as to produce an indelible mark or figure visible through the skin.
   This section is not intended to apply to any act of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts performed in the course of his practice."

Unlike body piercing in California, which allows for notarized parental consent or in the presence of a parent for a minor to receive the service - tattoos make no such exception.

from LATimes.com

An educated weapon will combat gangs

City-sanctioned intervention workers are studying for a unique assignment: preventing the next crime.

By Scott Gold, Los Angeles Times

May 23, 2010

Gang Prevention is about more then programs and activities, it is also about policy, procedures and environments. On April 19, 2010 to assist participants in the April 22nd Gang Prevention Strategic Planning Forum, we will host a training on CPTED or Community Prevention Through Environmental Design. CPTED is a strategy used to prevent crime through designing a physical environment that positvely influences human behavior. Given that Neighborhood Disorder was one of the top three predictors for youth gang involvement this strategy could be very impactful in making a difference in the lives of young people.

Webinar flyer CPTED_4-19-10.pdf (210.86 kb)

If you are not registered for the April 22nd Forum, but would like to attend the Webinar, we encourage you to consolidate participation in the webinar to a common computer or come to one of the host sites listed on the attached flyer.

HOW TO ACCESS THE WEBINAR

Sarita Coletrane invites you to attend this online meeting.

Topic: Introduction to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Date: Monday, April 19, 2010
Time: 2:30 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00)
Meeting Number: 685 395 093
Meeting Password: Ncpc1234


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To join the online meeting (Now from iPhones too!)
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1. Go to https://ncpa.webex.com/ncpa/j.php?ED=120139117&UID=0&PW=NYjNiMWM2MjYx&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D
2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: Ncpc1234
4. Click "Join".

To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link:
https://ncpa.webex.com/ncpa/j.php?ED=120139117&UID=0&PW=NYjNiMWM2MjYx&ORT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D

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To join the audio conference only
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To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the meeting, or call the number below and enter the access code.
Call-in toll-free number (US/Canada): 1-866-699-3239
Call-in toll number (US/Canada): 1-408-792-6300
Global call-in numbers: https://ncpa.webex.com/ncpa/globalcallin.php?serviceType=MC&ED=120139117&tollFree=1
Toll-free dialing restrictions: http://www.webex.com/pdf/tollfree_restrictions.pdf

Access code:685 395 093

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For assistance
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1. Go to https://ncpa.webex.com/ncpa/mc
2. On the left navigation bar, click "Support".

You can contact me at:
coletrane@ncpc.org


To add this meeting to your calendar program (for example Microsoft Outlook), click this link:
https://ncpa.webex.com/ncpa/j.php?ED=120139117&UID=0&ICS=MI&LD=1&RD=2&ST=1&SHA2=Oq6lqnBXa68i8tm6Z/ITrW0EzgYFSvH2F4eLHzmle88=&RT=MiMxMQ%3D%3D

The playback of UCF (Universal Communications Format) rich media files requires appropriate players. To view this type of rich media files in the meeting, please check whether you have the players installed on your computer by going to https://ncpa.webex.com/ncpa/systemdiagnosis.php

Sign up for a free trial of WebEx
http://www.webex.com/go/mcemfreetrial

http://www.webex.com



IMPORTANT NOTICE: This WebEx service includes a feature that allows audio and any documents and other materials exchanged or viewed during the session to be recorded. By joining this session, you automatically consent to such recordings. If you do not consent to the recording, do not join the session.

Fresno Street Saints unveils 2 new programs! 

Come see firsthand the benefits of the multi-media program, as you participate in live interviews conducted by the youth in that program. Tour the silk-screening operation! See how the community has come together to create these innovative programs for Southwest Fresno youth.

Friday April 9th, 5-7 p.m.

1619 E. Street (across from The Fresno Bee)

RSVP to Linda at 860.0166 or click here to email

fresnostreetsaints.org

Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces $9.2 Million in Grants to Combat Gang Violence in California Communities

View the entire press release by clicking here