Grant would help police talk kids out of gangs

Mathis Winkler

Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001 | 10:40 a.m.

North Las Vegas Police officials want to help the city's 2,119 eighth graders resist involvement with gangs, but first they have to get money to pay for a program.

City Council members are likely to approve a $198,420 grant application to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms at their meeting tonight. If the bureau gives the city the money, police officers could begin teaching classes by January, said Charlotte Salyer, the city's crime prevention manager.

The grant would pay for two full-time police officers and office supplies for one year, Salyer said, adding that the department doesn't have enough officers to assign them to the program right now. At the end of the year, the city would have to apply for a renewal of the grant to keep the program going.

In nine sessions with young people, the officers would discuss the consequence of crimes on victims and neighborhoods, where prejudice can lead, and how to resolve conflicts without using violence.

North Las Vegas already received funding for the Gang Resistance Education and Training program (GREAT) in 1997, but lost the grant two years later because it failed to set up a summer program on top of classes during the school year.

A summer program, which would include recreation and community activities during the time when kids are most likely to get involved with gangs, would be part of the new program, Salyer said.

A recent rise in crimes committed by teenagers and gang activity pushed Salyer to apply for the money again.

In 2000, 161 juveniles were arrested for assault, 38 arrested for vandalism and 159 arrested for larceny theft, according to the department's crime statistics.

In addition, Cram and Marvin middle schools, the city's newest, have no drug or gang prevention program so far. And even schools that teach fifth graders drug abuse resistance through the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program (DARE) could benefit from a follow-up program related to gangs, Salyer said.

"We're looking for something that prepares kids at an older age for problems that they'll be facing in the community," she said.

The Rev. Marion Bennett of Zion Methodist Church, who has criticized city officials for not doing enough to prevent gang problems, said he welcomed the idea.

"We need to work together to create a better atmosphere," he said. "I'm happy that the city recognizes a responsibility other than just putting people in jail."