Gang Reduction Program

1411 Words3 Pages

In 2003 as a response to communities with a large amount and growing number of youth gangs the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), a branch of the U.S. Department of Justice, initiated the Gang Reduction Program (GRP) (U.S. Department of Justice 2008). The formation of gangs is seen as a response to system failures and community dysfunction. As a result, one of OJJPD’s anti-gang initiatives is to make communities safer and have a pro-social environment (U.S. Department of Justice 2008). Furthermore, OJJDP plans to provide economic and social opportunities that gangs often promise to new recruits which are often obtained in an illegal and dangerous fashion (U.S. Department of Justice 2008). OJJDP believes that the GRP is capable of addressing the underlying issues for the increasing popularity and intensity of gang activity in specific suburban and rural neighborhoods (U.S. Department of Justice 2008). The program takes an integrative approach to dealing with the issue of increasing membership and participation with gangs. The following will discuss the program’s goal, theoretical basis, methods of operation, and overall effectiveness. After reviewing these major aspects of the GRP I will personally assess the value of this program and conclude whether or not the evidence supporting the program’s efficiency is strong enough for me to recommend it for implementation. In response to a growing gang problem in specific communities, the OJJDP has refined the Comprehensive Gang Model to better fit the issues related to today’s gangs. The GRP incorporates several new aspects into the pre-existing Comprehensive Gang Model. The revamped program was tested in four communities: East Los Angeles, CA; Milwaukee, W... ... middle of paper ... ...sues causing an increase in the popularity and intensity of youth gang activity in targeted neighborhoods. This program has taken a bold, integrative approach to dealing with the issue of increasing membership and participation with gangs. The research findings for this program have supported the notion of its success and make assumptions about its continued success in the future. The program has shown to be of great value to those in the program and should continue to receive support and funding from government agencies and community members. Bibliography U.S. Department of Justice. Best Practices to Address Community Gang Problems: OJJDP’s Comprehensive Gang Model. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 2008. U.S. Department of Justice. Findings from the Evaluation of OJJDP’s Gang Reduction Program. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 2010.

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