THE HISTORY OF MGPTF
How did the Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force begin?
| 2001 |
Our community witnessed a significant increase in violent criminal street gang activity. Our police department realized it could not “arrest our way out of this gang problem.” Although effective law enforcement efforts are critical, suppression and enforcement efforts alone would never adequately address the systemic causes of gang related criminal activity. Law enforcement represents only one element of an effective community action plan to reduce gang violence.
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January
2002 |
Seeing a need for an active community-wide response, the Police Department reached out to the City Council and other City Departments to raise awareness and gather support for a new approach to our gang problem. Subsequently, the City Council publicly set a goal of reducing gang violence and established a committee of interdepartmental staff to study the issue and make recommendations.
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Early
2003 |
City staff had assessed what the City had done to date and what the City must do to stop the violence. A comprehensive approach was required – residents, prevention specialists, private businesses and organizations, schools, and others would need to get involved; this community-wide problem would require a community-wide response.
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July
2003 |
The MGPTF was established as a community based effort modeled after other communities which have shown promising results in reducing gang violence through a balance of prevention, intervention and enforcement. Soon after its establishment, then Mayor Jane Bender spearheaded the recruitment of a strong MGPTF Policy Team consisting of city, county, and state government; local community-based organizations; schools, business, parents, faith community, and local law enforcement. The focus of the MGPTF was to stop the violence and victimization through enforcement and intervention efforts; intervene with those involved in criminal gang activity and redirecting them to services aimed at keeping them out of gangs; and preventing gang participation through a variety of programs that involve reconnecting youth with their schools, family and community. |
What is the Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force?
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Our MGPTF is a collaborative effort involving private citizens; city, county, and state government; local community-based organizations; schools, parents, faith community, and local law enforcement.
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The focus of this work is to stop the violence and victimization through enforcement and intervention efforts; intervene with those involved in criminal gang activity and redirecting them to services aimed at keeping them out of gangs; and preventing gang participation through a variety of programs that involve reconnecting youth with their schools, family and community.
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MGPTF is modeled on the successful history of the San Jose Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force that resulted in San Jose being named as the safest large city in America for four straight years. We chose the MGPTF model because it reinforces the concept that collaborative efforts, spanning a broad spectrum of community partners, ensures that a large number of stakeholders accept responsibility and accountability for the safety, health, and welfare of its youth, families, and community.
