FY07 Gang Prevention Coordination Assistance Program

The City of Camden Gang Prevention Coordination Assistance Program proposes to reduce gang activity through improved coordination of existing resources and activities that support multiple complimentary anti-gang strategies. The program will be implemented through the office of the Camden County Prosecutor with consultation, support and oversight by the Office of the Attorney General. This anti-gang strategy will focus on the coordination of existing programs that include primary prevention, secondary prevention, intervention of high-risk or gang-involved youth, and targeted enforcement. While a number of anti-gang programs operate within the City of Camden, this project will fund a Coordinator position that will serve as the critical link to develop an effective anti-gang strategy among programs.

The Program Coordinator will work with communities to identify risk factors that contribute to Camden's delinquency problems, and once identified, the Coordinator will work with the agencies and community members to increase the protective factors that can prevent or reduce delinquent behaviors. Mechanisms to promote protective factors will be established and implemented through a multi-systemic approach. The Coordinator will also coordinate the initiation of anti-gang programs in a minimum of four schools per quarter and work with each of the four District Collaborative Councils and the county Community Justice Coordinator to create a community outreach program specific to the district. The anticipated outcomes of this program are improved identification, and enhanced and improved use and integration, of existing local, state, and federal programs and resources.
CA/NCF