Gang czar sets sights on gang reduction

In light of the recent surge of gang-related shootings that have  claimed a number of innocent lives, finding a solution to Los Angeles  gang problem is a monumental task.
Jeff Carr, a minister and the  mayors director of gang reduction and youth development, is stepping up  to the challenge.
Carr, who assumed the newly created position in  August, is gearing up to target gang infested communities  in an effort  to reduce the number of shootings and fatalities.
The general  homicide rate is upIm talking about gang-related violent crime, Carr  acknowledged.
My primary responsibility and biggest challenge is to  figure out how the city will attack this (gang) problem and chart a new  course or direction and make sure that plan is implemented, said Carr.
Carr  realizes that combating and curtailing gang activity will be no easy  task.  I had some idea that this job was going to be a challenge, said  Carr.  People told me that since I was a minister, it was probably a  good thing because I was going to need a lot of faith.  I certainly pray  on a regular basis, usually on my way to work.
The recent gang  shootings that have occurred in the city are very tragic, said Carr. I  think whats been especially challenging is when a six-year-old boy, a  13-year-old child, and a 17-year-old football star all lose their lives,  even though they had no connection to gangs.
Carr said that in the  past, the gang problem has been attacked from a law enforcement  perspective but admits it will take a collaborative effort between  police, community, churches, politicians and gang intervention groups to  quell gang violence.  I think the law enforcement community is saying  that we cant arrest our way out of this problem–that they cant do it  alone, observed Carr.
With $1.2 million dollars in the pipeline  earmarked for gang prevention, Carr said his office has already targeted  eight neighborhoods considered the highest for gang activity.
Weve  targeted the geographic neighborhoods where there is the highest  related violent crime in the city, said Carr, who added that his office  has conducted needs assessments in those communities to determine where  the greatest needs are.
I think curtailing gang activity requires a  three-pronged strategy of prevention, intervention, and suppression.   We have to invest in our young people to prevent them from joining  gangs.  I think we need to provide reasonable alternatives to kids who  find themselves currently involved in gangs and to ensure that they have  an option to get out of the gang if they want to.
Pausing, he  added, Unfortunately, those who want to continue to perpetuate violence  are going to be arrested so that we can get them off the street.
Carr,  who was once the executive director of a community center, said that he  regularly talks to gang members.  They talk about needing employment  opportunities and other options to stay out of that lifestyle.
Asked  what he feels attracts young people to gangs, Carr said, Lack of  parental oversight, failing in school, or being exposed to high levels  of violence.  There are also negative peer relationships, divorces  within the family , or maybe someone in their family was killed. There  are many things that can impact a kid.
Carr applauded City  Controller Laura Chicks recent eye-opening audit on gangs,  acknowledging that she has helped pinpoint many areas in gang prevention  that could be improved. I think Chick and I agree that there should be  consolidation, coordination and accountability.  There are a lot of  issues and details that need to be looked at.  We need to work with the  city council regarding suggestions in the audit. The mayor is also  committed to working with the council.
Carr also praised civil  rights attorney Connie Rice, who released a report focusing on the  citys efforts at gang prevention. To Rices credit, she rang the bell  on this issue a year ago, acknowledged Carr.   Her report was a call  to action for the city to do things differently.  One of the things her  report called  for is to hire a single person to be accountable to the  mayor and focus on the gang issue. I think the mayor responded to that,  said Carr, whose position was created after Rices report was released.
Carr  said, We have to invest in our young people to prevent them from  joining gangs. I think we need to provide reasonable alternatives for  kids who find themselves currently involved in gangs to ensure that they  have an option to get out if they want to.