Washington, D.C. - Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) today joined Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson to open the Crossroads Youth Opportunity Center, a joint partnership between Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, which will provide services to youth in the counties who are involved with gangs or at risk for gang involvement. Van Hollen presented a $2,375,000 check to the county executives for the Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties Joint Gang Suppression and Prevention Initiative (also known as the Maryland Regional Gang Initiative). The funding was included in the FY 2006 Science-State-Justice-Commerce Appropriations bill (H.R. 2862). Van Hollen worked with Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and others in the regional Congressional delegation to ensure that this important funding was included in the legislation. As part of the initiative, Crossroads will receive $375,000. This is in addition to a $365,000 federal grant for Crossroads that Congressman Van Hollen announced in September 2005.
“I am proud to have fought for this funding, which will help the people of Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties fight the growing problem of gang violence in our region,” said Van Hollen. “It is important that we provide our law enforcement officials, our teachers, and our community leaders with the support they need as they work to keep our youth safe from gangs and teach them the long-term consequences of joining a gang.”
Summary of the $2,375,000 Prince George’s/Montgomery Joint County Gang Suppression and Prevention Initiative
I. Suppression Component = $1,050,000 ($525,000 per county)
Both Counties are currently in the process of forming centralized gang units and investigative teams within their police forces. This would be a dedicated funding stream for what is now a temporary program.
II. Prevention Component = $925,000 ($462,500 per county)
Federal funding is requested to establish gang prevention programs, including:
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$375,000 for The Crossroads Youth and Community Opportunities Center (Crossroads Center), a cross jurisdictional community-based effort aimed at reducing and eliminating gang activity and gang violence in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.
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$550,000 for other Gang Prevention Programs, including:
III. Intervention Component = $400,000 ($200,000 per county)
For Prince George’s County:
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$150,000 “Safe Havens” Program is to provide shelter to youths who desire to leave gangs.
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$25,000 to support expansion of mental health assessment and treatment services to gang involved youth and/or youth at-risk for gang involvement.
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$25,000 for Domestic Violence development and public awareness campaigns will be designed to educate area residents and the community.
For Montgomery County:
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$100,000 for employment, training and diversion assistance to provide active gang members with alternatives to gang activity.
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$50,000 for a Gang Correctional Officer who will work in concert with probation, parole and the intervention services to more successfully identify and respond to those who are actively involved in gang activity and to respond to trends and develop more effective reintegration strategies.
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$50,000 for informational/communication tools that will assist parents and community members to be more informed and involved in efforts to combat gang activity.