That, Hudson said, created more idle time for youths. The local school district endorsed the department's gang crime diversion curriculum and is currently running a pilot version in several area schools. That accomplished, the gang diversion coordinators started thinking about how they could reach the multitude of at-risk youths who don't attend school. The group formulated a strategy to reach incarcerated students, school dropouts and those who are 18 or older by expanding the program to include detention centers, prisons, community centers and other requested locations. Overcoming the Hopelessness Resident officers and outreach coordinators, through their daily interaction with gang members and at-risk individuals, have witnessed the pervasive sense of hopelessness and despair.
Most gang members cite a lack of jobs and other resources as a major reason for joining gangs.
A large portion also say that camaraderie and a sense of belonging were reasons for joining a gang. Many of those polled indicated that if given a viable option, gang life would not be their primary choice. Resident officers took these comments seriously and developed a residential computer training program to improve the skill level and employability of at-risk individuals. The department has arranged to have the computer training sessions held in the library learning center located in their recently constructed residential community policing office. The training center and sessions give at-risk kids computer and Internet access and the chance to develop marketable skills.