While attendance at the third community gang task force meeting
Wednesday night at San Benito High School waned somewhat compared
to the first two, realistic solutions to the city’s burgeoning gang
problem such as creating anonymous hotlines and enticing
Hollister’s youth to after school and weekend events were bandied
between approximately 60 concerned residents.
Hollister – While attendance at the third community gang task force meeting Wednesday night at San Benito High School waned somewhat compared to the first two, realistic solutions to the city’s burgeoning gang problem such as creating anonymous hotlines and enticing Hollister’s youth to after school and weekend events were bandied between approximately 60 concerned residents.
Approximately 60 people, including elected officials, religious leaders, interested community members and a group of teens in tune with the growing problem suggested sending out flyers to parents to better educate them about gangs and ways to stop young children from entering into the gang lifestyle. Residents also proposed publicizing the plethora of activities and organizations available in a town where many people believe there’s never anything to do on public access television or Web sites. Initiating an anonymous hotline to report gang violence or activity without the fear of retaliation and starting up mentoring programs for at-risk children were also popular solutions.
Much of the night’s deliberations focused on the city’s youth. While many of those in attendance suggested creating organizations and groups where children and teens can congregate to keep them away from gangs, outspoken community member Eva Reyna championed a more individualistic approach to steering children on the right path.
Reyna insisted that curbing the problem starts face to face with the city’s youth, which are those most vulnerable to joining gangs.
“You have to take an interest in the youth,” Reyna said. “Just talk to them.”
While most people spoke about possible solutions to the problem, Hollister resident Domingo Quistian enlightened those in attendance to what can be accomplished when you stop talking and start acting.
Quistian, spokesman for New Harvest Ministry, said the church recently started a program on Saturday nights for 11 to 22-year-olds where they can play pool, video games, listen to a DJ and even win money through competitions like Fear Factor – although worm eating isn’t on the menu, he said.
“Before we start we have someone speak to them about gangs. Most of the people (supervising the event) came off the streets so they know how hard it is. I’ve been before a judge many times. Once you get into the system it’s hard to get out,” he said. “They can see that they don’t have to be in a gang to have friends, to have fun, to be somebody.”
Although New Harvest Ministry funds the Saturday night event, Quistian said religion isn’t involved on that night – the goal is to provide a free, safe and fun environment which the gang life lacks, he said.
“What they need is an alternative,” he said. “They’re like plants. A plant can’t grow without a good atmosphere. If they have a good atmosphere, they’ll grow up to be good.”
Involving and educating the entire community about the gang problem and changing the attitude a community filled with commuters and latch-key kids has about it was at the top of the solutions check list.
San Benito High School student Nicole Lucas proposed publicizing community events such as the Hollister Police Department’s graffiti abatement day on public access television and posting flyers at the high school about extracurricular activities around town to garner students’ interest. Another resident suggested sending educational materials home to parents about sports programs, theater or dance programs and warning signs that accompany gangs or drug use. Creating a Web site or clearinghouse number where people could go anonymously for help or to report gang activity was also put forth.
Most people in attendance were keenly aware of the city and county’s financial constraints and stuck to no-cost or low-cost ways to take a proactive approach to the problem.
While the general consensus amongst those in attendance and the facilitators seemed to be that the meeting had been the best yet and practical solutions were suggested, whether they’ll work is another matter.
“Keep in mind that we’ve got lots of activities, but many of them aren’t the things that kids want to go to. These aren’t the places that kids think are cool,” said Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders, one of the meeting’s facilitators. “When we think about solutions we have to remember we used to be kids and we wanted to do some bad things – the things that are fun.”
The next meeting will focus on resources available to implement solutions, but hasn’t been scheduled yet. For more information contact the Hollister Police Department at 636-4330.
Anyone between the ages of 11 and 22 is welcome to attend the New Harvest Ministry’s Saturday night event from 6pm to 9pm, located at 372 Fourth St. in Hollister, or call 637-0643.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
