Fortunately, our community in cooperation with other agencies and organizations have been active for quite some time sharing information and acting together to confront this rise. An action plan to include parents and the general public is being developed. Prevention Strategies are being developed to formally educate and inform young people, and to assist them in recognizing the hazards involved in gang and drug-related activities. As young people experience greater peer pressure and financial tension, they are being forced to make adult decisions that may have adult consequences. These decisions are often made before the skills to make meaningful life choices have been developed.
Several programs are currently in place to develop decision-making skills for our youth.
Lawrence police officers and court services personnel provide presentations to the community. These presentations are designed to make gang activity and violence even more identifiable, as well as to help reduce criminal activity. Suppression Suppression strategies involve programs used by law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to deal with offenders. Strong suppression has removed many youth from the community. Recent sentencing decisions have sent a clear signal that violent activity will not be treated lightly.