CH> Excellent topic, Tom.  What do you think about a "Task Force"
 CH> strategy whereby the task force would move into such an area before
 CH> the gang has a chance to take over?  The task force could organize
 CH> and inform the citizens while taking police action to discourage the
 CH> gang members.
This would be the ultimate strategy, assuming you had the manpower and could 
find enough interested citizens at such an early stage. It is unfortunate, 
but many citizens do not get involved until they feel personally threatened. 
Those that are aware of the growing gang problem are many times afraid the 
gang will try to get even with them for assisting the police. Again, this 
would be the ultimate strategy. The longer the gang is allowed to establish 
their turf, the harder they are to deal with.
I've seen many comparisons with Neighborhood Watch Programs. If there is a 
big burglary problem or some other problem that personally effects many of
the citizens, you can organize a very strong group of citizens. These 
programs are difficult to start and maintain when the problems are not seen 
as threatening to large numbers of citizens living in the neighborhood. I 
guess this is just human nature, or it may have something to do with working 
two jobs or the husband and wife both working, etc. Most residential 
neighborhoods are vulnerable to burglars for this very reason.
Tom Rightmer - A Victims' Rights Advocate
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