Task force considers methods of eliminating gangs
By Avi Rutschman avi@theacorn.com

The Simi Valley Gang Task Force, a committee of community leaders and concerned citizens, met Wednesday night to discuss options the city can take in eliminating Simi's gangs.

According to Lt. Greg Riegert of the Simi Valley Police Department, there are approximately 150 active gang members living in the city.

The Gang Task Force was started in 1992. It disbanded after several meetings, but was reactivated in 1995 after a gang homicide occurred in Simi Valley. In 1996, the committee composed a list of objectives for the police department to meet, most of which have been completed, according to police officials.

While the Simi Valley Police Department is currently in charge of gang enforcement, the Gang Task Force discussed utilizing other programs to prevent kids from choosing a gang lifestyle.

"The police get them when they are already gang members, but we want to get to them before they make that decision," Riegert said.

The Police Department currently funds three full-time D.A.R.E. officers and two School Resource officers, police officers that assist campuses with conflict resolution, according to police officials.

"The School Resource officers spend a majority of their time at the high schools, and they are an enforcement arm with a reactive rather than proactive approach," said police Chief Mike Lewis.

According to City Councilmember Michelle Foster, the most important task ahead of the Gang Task Force is coming up with clear goals.

"If we have a clear mission, then we can always ask ourselves if this or that program is helping our mission, and if it isn't, then we can figure a new way to approach the problem," Foster said.

Since the committee's last meeting in the fall of 2006, Simi Valley has had a number of gang-related assaults and shootings and two gang-related homicides.

The committee also met with Rachel Navarro, a member of Interface Youth Services.

The nonprofit organization, which has a total of 600 volunteers, visits schools and police departments to meet with teens that are considered at risk, according to Navarro. Volunteers will provide intervention for children that are dealing with problems associated with drugs, grades, cutting and more.

The organization offers its services free of charge, 24 hours a day.

According to Navarro, parents or kids that feel like they need help from social services are urged to call 211, a social services hotline.