Police Get $400,000 Grant for Anti-Gang Efforts
Outreach Workers to Be Hired to Teach Youth Job Skills
The Santa Barbara Police Department has secured a $400,000 grant that will help sustain prevention, intervention, and enforcement efforts this coming summer. The federal grant funds will be shared by the multi-jurisdictional group of South Coast agencies – coupled with a variety of nonprofits – that sprang up to keep a lid on gang violence last summer. Last year, during which 100 high-risk youth were targeted for special attention, there was no outside funding to help underwrite the effort. This summer, the funds will be used to hire outreach workers to work with those attracted by the gang lifestyle and provide basic skills in applying for – and holding down – jobs.
