The Tacoma Gang Reduction Project is working to reduce and prevent gang violence through prevention, intervention and suppression efforts. For years, youth crime had been on the decline but over the past three years youth involvement in gangs and youth violence is once again on the rise.
Tacoma Gang Assessment
The Tacoma Gang Assessment was completed in early 2012. The assessment closely follows the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) comprehensive gang model. The assessment has given us better information and created a better understanding of how gang crime is impacting the local community.
Key Findings
Key findings of the gang assessment include the fact that five neighborhoods, South Tacoma, South End, Eastside, Central, and New Tacoma, are more heavily impacted by gangs, gang crime, and related risk factors. Also, middle school is a critical time for youth in Tacoma. Middle school aged children here in Tacoma are exposed to elevated levels of risk and are making decisions about joining gangs.
Project Leadership
Key policymakers, leaders of agencies, and community organizations concerned with the community's gang problem are working on strategies to mitigate the gang problem and to develop system-wide solutions that reduce gang activity and involvement by our youth.
Funding Priorities
Funding priorities for the City of Tacoma include:
- Gang prevention, intervention, and/or suppression services are available in Tacoma neighborhoods that are disproportionately impacted by gang crime.
- Youth/gang member access to and involvement with guns is reduced.
Tacoma Middle School youth at risk of gang involvement have reduced risk factors and/or increased protective factors.
National Gang Center
The Project has developed a strong working relationship with the National Gang Center and will be utilizing their expertise through technical assistance, overall process guidance, and planning.