Things could be worse is the message we often hear when it comes
to our current economic situation. If the federal government had
not acted by bailing out major financial institutions, our economy
would have collapsed and we would be in the midst of a depression
instead of a deep recession. The same argument could be said for
the gang problem in South County. If it wasn’t for the efforts by
so many individuals, families, community groups and public
agencies, our gang problem could be worse.
Things could be worse is the message we often hear when it comes to our current economic situation. If the federal government had not acted by bailing out major financial institutions, our economy would have collapsed and we would be in the midst of a depression instead of a deep recession. The same argument could be said for the gang problem in South County. If it wasn’t for the efforts by so many individuals, families, community groups and public agencies, our gang problem could be worse.
The violent gang-related incidents that occurred Oct. 2 are a reminder that there is still much work to do. Some residents like to believe that there are no social problems in our small community. First, we have to recognize that the same factors exist in Morgan Hill as in San Jose and Gilroy. Why do youth join gangs?
There are different levels of gang participation that range from simple peer acceptance that fosters a sense of belonging and protection within the group to the more organized violent crime rings.
Studies show that the most effective strategies to combat gang violence are a balance of prevention and intervention programs along with law enforcement suppression strategies that target violent and criminally active gang members.
Prevention programs can be direct or indirect. The direct programs target youths that demonstrate risk factors for joining gangs. Some of the red flags include adolescent behavior problems, which could lead to violence and delinquency, family conditions that could include generational gang participation, poor school performance, and peer group influences.
The indirect programs are those that give youth options other than the lure of gang membership. This, as a community, is one of our biggest strengths whether it’s youth sports, school clubs, programs at the YMCA, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department which includes the Youth Advisory Committee, church based activities, or performing arts groups.
Last year, after a performance at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center, the director of the folkloric dance troupe told the audience that the core values of the group were to encourage a sense of pride in their heritage, to do well in school, and to discourage youths from joining gangs.
Intervention programs target youth already involved in gang activities in an effort to provide sanctions and services to separate from gangs. Some of the services may include counseling, peer tutoring, mentoring programs, support groups, conflict resolution training. One intervention program that is provided by the Morgan Hill Police department is the Parent Project which is a great resource for parents. Too many times, parents feel helpless when dealing with teens that are out-of-control (drugs, alcohol, gang activity, violence, running away).
The third strategy is law enforcement suppression. A good example of this is the recent probation and parole sweep made by the Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Jose police departments and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. The sweep netted six arrests that included known gang members. The importance of this collaborative effort is that it was regional with multiple municipalities participating. Research has shown that if one city implements a “get tough” only approach gang members leave the city and relocate elsewhere. This has been a topic of debate locally because the recent gang activity involved individuals from different municipalities.
At the community meeting last week at P.A. Walsh Elementary School, a parent told the crowd that it was not the responsibility of the police to act as parents. I would also add that it is not the school system’s responsibility to be surrogate parents either. Yet the police and the schools can assist parents in helping their children. Parents need to be aware of the red flags to look for and to know what resources are available to them in the community.
In a research survey on why youth join gangs, the No. 1 response was friends and family members already in a gang. It will also take friends and family with the support of the community to steer teens away from gangs.
During the recent storm and floods, I was stopped by a stranger as I was driving home. He told me the residential street ahead was flooded and he didn’t think my vehicle could make it. He suggested I take an alternate route. I did, and I made it home fine.
It is that sense of community, of neighbors helping neighbors that will continue to combat the lure of gangs and keep our streets safe. In a sense, our community’s gang problem could be worse. But with effective strategies, we might even make it better.
Mario Banuelos has lived in Morgan Hill for 19 years. He has served on the south County Dayworker Committee and is a member of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation. He is married and has four children.
