Legislative Update - April 16, 2001
(Broadcast #350)
Indian Country Surveyed on Youth Gang Activity - On April 11, 2001 the National Youth Gang Center (NYGC) in conjunction with the Office of Juvenile Justice, Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), and the U.S. Department of Justice, forwarded a survey to tribal governments regarding youth gang activity throughout Indian Country. Survey responses will be used to determine the scope of the gang problem on reservations. The survey was developed in coordination with OJJDP's Tribal Youth Program; the American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Office, Office of Justice Programs; and the Office of Law Enforcement Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Findings from the survey will be made widely available and will assist both federal and tribal entities in planning gang programs and formulating policy.
NYGC has requested that tribal leaders designate a respondent for the survey, noting that, where available, law enforcement authorities may be the best source of information. Detailed records on gangs do not exist in most tribal communities, thus this survey is designed to obtain best estimates and perceptions of gang activities. NYGC is equally interested in knowing if a jurisdiction has not experienced youth gang activity. Tribal governments are urged to answer and return the survey as soon as possible.For more information please contact John Moore or Charlene White at
the
National Youth Gang Center (850) 385-0600, extension 259, fax:(850) 386-5356
URL: http://www.iir.com/nygc.