To add to the gang post - Here are a couple links to a story about a "girl gang" at a South Side school, Dyett Academic Center, which is at 555 E. 51st St on the boarder of Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhoods. (Note how the story reports that the mother of two girls allegedly leading this gang was arrested for fighting related to the gang last week.)
April 30:http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-girlgang30.html May 1: http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-girlgang01.html In considering these stories and the issue of the loitering ordinance, I wonder what could be done by law enforcement to curb gang violence that takes a preventative vs. the crackdown approach. I recognize the need for police to take an aggressive stance on gang activity, but I rarely hear in the major media much about creative efforts to address the "gang problem." While I was recently working with teens in westside neighborhood North Lawndale, we met with another group of teens who are part of POWER (Peers of the Westside Encouraging Response), through which high school teens work with elementary school kids to promote alternatives to gangs and violence. POWER teens are in paid positions and work after school from about 3-7 (much like the kids I worked with through After School Matters, which is a city of Chicago organization). Part of After School Matters' aim is to give youth a place to go during these after school hours, which are considered to be the prime time for gang-related activity. I'm sure there are other programs like POWER in the city, but does anyone know if and how the city supports other violence prevention efforts like this? There's a lot out there on gang psychology and strategies for addressing gang violence, and I also welcome any suggestions for further reading and info on Chicago and gang behavior/prevention models. Amanda Ruch Lakeview/44th Ward _______________________________________________ Chicago Issues Forum - Citywide Civic Discussion To post to list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To (un)subscribe: http://www.e-democracy.org/chicago/ To contact list manager: [EMAIL PROTECTED] E-Democracy will not share, trade, or sell your information. Please do not harvest participant e-mail information for other lists or solicitations without specific consent from addressee.
