Measure G and gang activity are hot topics within the community
and the Mexican American Political Association, or MAPA, is
sponsoring two forums on the issues Saturday.
Starting at 2 p.m., community members will meet to discuss local
gang activity and how to deal with gang members and crime.
Officials from the Hollister Police Department, San Benito County
District Attorney’s office, probation department and schools will
be present, according to Henry Sumaya, chairman of MAPA.
Measure G and gang activity are hot topics within the community and the Mexican American Political Association, or MAPA, is sponsoring two forums on the issues Saturday.
Starting at 2 p.m., community members will meet to discuss local gang activity and how to deal with gang members and crime. Officials from the Hollister Police Department, San Benito County District Attorney’s office, probation department and schools will be present, according to Henry Sumaya, chairman of MAPA.
“The gang activity issue is especially important. We’re talking about children that have been attacked by gangs,” Sumaya said. “We need people to get involved with our community and law enforcement. They’re here to help, but they can’t do it all themselves.”
Community members concerned with gang activity are also worried about what impact the city’s layoffs will have on monitoring and working to decrease gang activity. One side effect may be less police officers working in the community, Sumaya said.
At 3 p.m., the forum will switch to candidates for the County Board of Supervisors. People will vote March 2 for Districts 1, 2 and 5, currently held by Richard Scagliotti, Ruth Kesler and Bob Cruz. All but one of the various candidates has committed to the event.
MAPA is mostly concerned with where the candidates stand on Measure G. Each candidate will discuss their viewpoints and then audience members will be allowed to ask questions.
Both forums will be translated into Spanish.
The forums will be held at the San Benito Health Foundation, 351 Felice Dr. For more information, call Sumaya at 637-8663.
