San Mateo PAL Anti-Gang Initiative Turns Gang Affiliates into PAL Members

Over 210 youth and over 150 parents, community members, school officials, and business leaders were served directly under an Anti-Gang Initiative Grant, administered through California PAL and implemented through collaboration with the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, the San Mateo County Gang Task Force “Gang Intelligence Unit”, the San Mateo County Probation Department, the Jericho Project, and the Tongan Interfaith Council. Nine gang prevention presentations were offered in the community. Over 40 youth who were affiliating with gangs are now active PAL members. These new members are participating in various positive youth development activities, such as an outdoor soccer program. Many of these youth have finished the school year with an increase in school attendance, improved class participation, completion of assigned work, and a decrease in delinquent behavior. PAL's chosen Youth of the Year for 2007 graduated this June from San Mateo High School, along with three other PAL members who were at-risk earlier in the year.

San Mateo PAL has strengthened a relationship with the Tongan Interfaith Council, including Fa'Pasifika which is a valuable program within the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center. Activities have reached over 100 Polynesian youth, parents, and community leaders. This outreach furthers our goal of decreasing gang activitiy by reaching those youth who may be at greater risk.

Grant programming is continuing and further strategic planning is underway. Specific anti-gang programming, targeting youth at-risk, is extending through the summer, focusing on the teaching of responsibilities and life skills.

Lieutenant Mike Brunicardi
Press Information Officer
San Mateo Police Department
2000 South Delaware Street
San Mateo, CA, 94403
(650)522-7684