Senate-Passed Spending Bill Includes Funding Requested by Senator Boxer for Key Anti-Gang Monterey County Projects

Washington, D.C. – Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Year 2008 omnibus appropriations bill, which includes funding requested by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) for critical anti-gang projects in Monterey County.

“Violence has already touched the lives of too many,” Boxer said, “That is why it is so important to support anti-gang projects, including prevention and intervention efforts, which will go a long way toward helping our families and law enforcement in Monterey County.”

The Senate approved $1,269,000 for the Monterey County Street and Anti-Gang Project, or Monterey County Joint Gang Task Force (GTF), which is the result of a countywide collaborative effort whose mission is to reduce gang violence throughout Monterey County. Participants in GTF include: the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department and District Attorney’s Office; the City of Salinas Police Department and Cities of Soledad and Seaside.

The Senate also approved $430,379 for the Silver Star Gang Prevention and Intervention Program (SSGPI) which provides and coordinates services to prevent and reduce juvenile crime in Monterey County. This umbrella organization offers a full range of services to combat juvenile delinquency, including educational activities, vocational and job training, and counseling programs for at-risk youth.

The GTF has made a significant positive impact on gang-related crime, and has become a statewide model of effective gang suppression coupled with the prevention and intervention efforts of the Monterey County SSGPI program.

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