NDAA’s Gang Response Model
State and local prosecutors are selfless public servants with one ultimate objective: to protect the safety and security of our communities. At times, however, that goal seems idealistic as terrorist activity plagues the globe, crime advances with new technology and, perhaps most distressing, those committing crimes get younger every year. Growing youth gang activity is of particular concern to our nation’s prosecutors in all jurisdictions. Gang membership is rapidly expanding and with that growth comes violence, illegal drug activity and other criminal behavior that threatens the safety of our communities, neighborhoods and schools. The United States Department of Justice estimates that there are approximately 30,000 gangs with 800,000 members in the U.S., terrorizing not only urban jurisdictions, but suburban and rural communities as well. As gangs enter our communities, they bring with them drugs, weapons and crime, conjuring fear and violence in our neighborhoods. Gangs are beginning to recruit members in elementary schools, they use drugs as their primary means of financial gain, they carry guns for protection and they utilize the Internet and other advanced technologies to carry out gang activity. In addition, much gang activity has been linked with domestic terrorist organizations and other international terrorist groups.
State and local prosecutors are at the forefront of the fight against gang activity. They are in the position to effectively deal with criminal behavior of gang members and have the opportunity to address the complex issue of reentry to reduce recidivism after gang members have been identified and prosecuted. Prosecutors, however, must be fully equipped to deal with these threatening criminals. Research about gang activity has been ongoing for 20 years, however, there has been no empirically-based model for an effective prosecutorial response—until now.
NDAA has developed a comprehensive response to gang crime for prosecutors and law enforcement officers. The initiative involves the development of a Gang Response Model, a Quick Response Team (QRT) and on-site training to provide prosecutors and law enforcement with a strategy to combat gang activity in their jurisdictions and the requisite skills to implement the model.
Last year, NDAA gathered prosecutors, leaders from faith-based organizations, probation and parole officers, community organizations, law enforcement, private businesses and academics at the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina, to share ideas regarding gang violence and to assist in the identification of leaders and promising practices in the field. The symposium was an outstanding success as participants banded together to identify promising practices and create a Quick Response Team to help NDAA develop and deliver the tools necessary to fight gang activity.
Following the symposium, NDAA’s Office of Research and Evaluation investigated anti-gang initiatives in several jurisdictions as they relate to components of the Gang Response Model. NDAA is in the process of developing a publication to address the issues presented at the symposium and identify those promising practices collected in the study. Look for this publication in the coming months.
Over the next year, NDAA will provide on-site assistance to six jurisdictions to implement the Gang Response Model. NDAA’s Quick Response Team will work closely with selected jurisdictions to implement the model and develop a strategic plan to combat gang activity. Training will also be offered to provide local prosecutors and law enforcement with the skills necessary to implement the strategy. To apply to have NDAA’s Gang Response Model implemented in your jurisdiction, please download the application at http://www.ndaa-apri.org/pdf/cp_gang_response_model.pdf and forward completed applications to APRI’s Community Prosecution Director, Steve Jansen.
The Gang Response Model is well underway to help prosecutors understand their role when responding to criminal gang activity. The safety of our communities, neighborhoods and schools is at stake. Prosecutors need the tools to respond to gang activity with authority and diligence, and NDAA is providing that guidance.
