Home Our Work Advances in Juvenile Justice Reform: Gangs

Advances in Juvenile Justice Reform: Gangs

Gangs: 2013 | 2012 | 2010

California — Police Required to Notify Youth and Families of Inclusion in Gang Database: California law enforcement officers must now provide written notice to youth and their parent(s) or guardian(s) prior to including youth in a gang database, unless such notice would compromise an active criminal investigation or compromise the health or safety of the youth. The notice must include the basis for the designation. Previously, youth and families received no such notice. The new law also provides youth and families with the right to contest inclusion in the database. S.B. 458/Act No. 797, signed into law October 13, 2013; effective January 1, 2014.

California Commits Majority of Gang Prevention and Youth Violence Funding to Evidence-Based Programs
The California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) is now required to ensure that within three years, no less than 70 percent of funding for gang and youth violence suppression, intervention, and prevention programs is put toward programs that utilize “promising and proven evidence-based practices and principles.” The BSCC is also to work with local governments to help develop regional partnerships in order to serve a broader population and maximize the impact of state funds. A.B. 526/Act No. 850, signed into law September 30, 2012.

California — Los Angeles Removes Obstructions to Summer Employment Opportunities for Youth on Gang Databases; Proposed Cuts to Gang Prevention Programs Quashed: In 2010, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development removed language from the city’s summer youth job application that prohibited youth on gang databases and gang injunctions from obtaining summer employment. Advocates successfully raised concerns regarding the lack of due process when youth are labeled as gang members—without any rights to notification, appeal, or removal—as well as the need for systeminvolved youth to receive more resources, not less. Advocates additionally helped stop the Los Angeles City Council from cutting $1.4 million in gang prevention and intervention programs from the city budget. The money will continue to go towards neighborhood intervention as well as programs to connect youth to jobs, education, and counseling.