Urban Public Schools: Gang Prevention and Intervention Strategies

Friday, March 28, 2008
Khaldun D. Everage, Regional Security Facilitator, Chicago (IL) Public Schools
Kathleen Bowles, Supervisor for Safe and Healthy Schools, Duval County (FL) Public Schools
Dave Friedberg, Manager of Security Services, Hillsborough County (FL) Public Schools
Marc Wilder, Detective, Hillsborough County (FL) Sheriff's Office Gang Unit
Joe Melita, Executive Director of Professional Standards & Special Investigative Unit, Broward County (FL) Public Schools
Patrick McCutcheon, Administrative Commander, School Police, Palm Beach County (FL) School District

According to the Journal of Gang Research, one of out of every 10 public school students is not in school during an average school day.  Over a third of American public schools report complaints of gang recruiting near their school.  It is estimated that 12 percent of all school disciplinary problems are caused by students involved in gangs but only two-thirds of American schools have written policies against gang activity.  Attendees learned which gangs are prevalent nationally and regionally, recent trends and projections in gang activity. This was a dynamic, interactive session where all attendees discussed what could be done while working to diminish the number of students falling victim to gang recruitment techniques and methods.