Anti-Gang Initiative
The Anti-Gang Initiative was designed to help law enforcement agencies
address gang-related violence, drug problems, and fear in their cities and
neighborhoods.
In 1996, the COPS Office identified 15 police departments across the nation
as having significant gang problems in their jurisdictions. COPS provided
funding to these jurisdictions to help them acquire the necessary resources to
implement community policing strategies and problem-solving practices to address
gang-related issues. Under this initiative, departments developed innovative
programs and strategies that included building partnerships with the community,
schools, social service agencies, and local city agencies; using geographic
information systems to identify gang hotspots; enforcing curfew and truancy
regulations; and using such civil remedies as code enforcement and civil
abatement. Funding was also provided to allow the 15 agencies to evaluate the
effectiveness of the strategies employed under the grant.
The Anti-Gang Initiative was announced in June 1996. The grants were for a
1-year period, with no-cost extensions provided on a case-by-case basis.
A total of $11 million was available under the Anti-Gang Initiative. Each
site was eligible to receive $500,000 to $1 million, based on the city's
population level. A local cash match was not required under this program, but
each department was encouraged to provide an in-kind match.
COPS funded sites in Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Oakland, CA; Orange
County, CA; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; Indianapolis, IN; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Kansas City, MO;
St. Louis, MO; Jersey City, NJ; Austin, TX; Dallas, TX; and Salt Lake City, UT.
See also:
