It has significantly raised the awareness of the entire Orange County community about gangs and involved hundreds of community members in the anti-gang program. Using this research, Probation Officers can successfully discern which intervention programs are likely to be effective for different people under their supervision. With this effectiveness come gains in efficiency, the most appropriate application of resources with the least waste. The strategy must continue to unfold. New issues are emerging such as the interstate operation of gangs and increasing weapons use.
More innovation is necessary to continue a successful response to gangs and their criminal activity.
Orange County is committed to continuing its inter-agency cooperation at the local level and continue to produce effective models for the national fight against gangs and gang violence. The six agencies involved have surpassed expectations required under this grant. In May of 1997 the University of California, Irvine Focused Research Group on Orange County Street Gangs released the 1996 GITS data to the Chiefs and Sheriff s Association. Gang members committed 1756 violent incidents in Orange County in 1997. Other types of incidents were more frequently committed.