Gang Intervention Task Force Bill Advances
Legislation creating a statewide gang task force has passed out of a House subcommittee. House Bill 1995, by Rep. Anastasia Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, would create the Oklahoma Statewide Gang Intervention Task Force to develop strategies for reducing gang activity and youth violence through prevention and intervention programs.
"Gang violence is reaching epidemic levels in Oklahoma City," said Pittman. "In my district, it's cost the lives of four young people in just two months. The state needs to become much more aggressive and intervene before more lives are lost."
Pittman said that as gang activity has increased, the Legislature has actually reduced funding for anti-gang programs from $1.4 million in FY 2003 to $1.19 million today. "This is a sad statement when you consider that gang-involved youth are four times more likely to end up in prison than non-gang involved youth," Pittman said. "With limited funding the state of Oklahoma needs to coordinate and utilize these funds as efficiently as possible. That is what HB 1995 will do."
If the bill becomes law, the Task Force will attempt to determine how much state funding is needed for anti-gang programs and issue reform recommendations by February 1, 2008. The bill also requires the Office of Juvenile Affairs to utilize new funding appropriated for the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Prevention Act for the expansion of current gang intervention and prevention contracts and the creation of new gang contracts. The bill would grant the Statewide Steering Committee oversight of the contracts and require entities receiving gang contracts to create local steering committees that work with community leaders, neighborhood associations, service providers, local school officials, law enforcement and other stakeholders to help facilitate the implementation of the program.
Pittman's bill passed out of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee and now proceeds to the full House Judiciary & Public Safety Committee.
"Gang violence is reaching epidemic levels in Oklahoma City," said Pittman. "In my district, it's cost the lives of four young people in just two months. The state needs to become much more aggressive and intervene before more lives are lost."
Pittman said that as gang activity has increased, the Legislature has actually reduced funding for anti-gang programs from $1.4 million in FY 2003 to $1.19 million today. "This is a sad statement when you consider that gang-involved youth are four times more likely to end up in prison than non-gang involved youth," Pittman said. "With limited funding the state of Oklahoma needs to coordinate and utilize these funds as efficiently as possible. That is what HB 1995 will do."
If the bill becomes law, the Task Force will attempt to determine how much state funding is needed for anti-gang programs and issue reform recommendations by February 1, 2008. The bill also requires the Office of Juvenile Affairs to utilize new funding appropriated for the Delinquency and Youth Gang Intervention and Prevention Act for the expansion of current gang intervention and prevention contracts and the creation of new gang contracts. The bill would grant the Statewide Steering Committee oversight of the contracts and require entities receiving gang contracts to create local steering committees that work with community leaders, neighborhood associations, service providers, local school officials, law enforcement and other stakeholders to help facilitate the implementation of the program.
Pittman's bill passed out of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee and now proceeds to the full House Judiciary & Public Safety Committee.
Labels: 2007 Legislature, Anastasia Pittman, Gang Prevention
posted by Mike McCarville @ 11:03 AM
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