CLEAR Anti-Gang Program Comes to New Areas
Community Law Enforcement and Recovery

February 14, 2003

MAYOR HAHN ANNOUNCES LOS ANGELES TO RECEIVE $2.5 MILLION FOR ANTI-GANG PROGRAM

LOS ANGELES * Mayor Jim Hahn today announced that Los Angeles will receive $2.5 million in federal funding for the Los Angeles City/County Community Law Enforcement and Recovery (CLEAR) anti-gang program.

"Today we take another step toward reducing violent gang crime in our city," said Mayor Hahn. "This funding is a great win for Los Angeles, and a huge loss for the gangs that prey on our communities. We will use the funding to bring additional resources to our neighborhoods to help keep young people out of gangs and to help stem the tide of gang violence. We look forward to continuing to work together with our partners in county and federal government to help us reduce gang crime in our communities."

The $2.5 million will be used to fund CLEAR, a vertically integrated gang program that combines the resources of the Los Angeles Police Department, City Attorney, District Attorney, County Probation and Parole to address gang issues in designated regions. Of this funding, $1 million will be used to create a CLEAR unit in the LAPD's Hollenbeck Area.

A nationally-recognized program, CLEAR allows local law enforcement agencies to work together to maximize resources and share expertise. CLEAR also involves the community through its Community Impact Team, which is comprised of community residents and leaders who work with law enforcement officials to reduce crime.

"Having been born and raised in Boyle Heights, I am especially proud that $1 million of the $2.5 million I secured is going directly to the Hollenbeck Division to combat gang violence in Boyle Heights," said Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard. "Our community has been plagued with crime and violence; it has got to stop.

Having seen the success of the CLEAR program in other LA neighborhoods, I am proud to support it, and I am confident that bringing CLEAR to Boyle Heights will reduce the gang violence in our streets."

"We hear and pay a lot of close attention these days to terrorist acts and threats from international sources," Representative Xavier Becerra (CA-31) said.

"But we must not shortchange local authorities and the resources they need to fight the war on terror here at home on our streets. This federal allocation of $2.5 million will help ensure that CLEAR will not have to fight gang violence with one hand tied behind its back."

"I want to thank Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard and Congressman Xavier Becerra for securing the federal funding and Mayor Jim Hahn and Chief William Bratton for making it a priority to seek funding to expand CLEAR," said City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. "The City Attorney's Office goes a step beyond prosecuting these thugs. We make life uncomfortable for convicted gang members by watching them making sure they serve their sentences."

"My goal is to make every neighborhood safe from gangs and violence. The designation of $1 million for a CLEAR unit in the Hollenbeck Division will help make that a reality," said Councilman Nick Pacheco, who represents the Hollenbeck area. "The CLEAR program will enable us to utilize more resources to halt gang violence."

"I am grateful for the support the federal government is giving our anti-gang programs," said Chief William Bratton. "It is clear, police alone cannot solve the problem of gang violence. Partnerships with local and federal lawmakers, community leaders, parents and police are key to helping young people in Los Angeles make choices that will steer them away from becoming involved in gangs."

Mayor Hahn has been working with federal leaders to secure funding to help curb gang violence in Los Angeles. In December 2001, he hosted a meeting of Congressmembers who represent Los Angeles to discuss strategies for curbing gang violence. Mayor Hahn, Chief Bratton, and Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski also traveled to Washington, D.C., in January to lobby for federal funding and resources to fight gangs.

Sheriff Lee Baca also attended this morning's press conference.

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Robert Urteaga
Projects Director
Office of Councilman Nick Pacheco 14th District
213-485-3335
213-359-0121 - cell
213-847-0680 - fax
3091140@skytel.com - e-mail pager