Gang advisory board making progress
Too often the issue of gangs comes up only when there’s been youth-involved violence. Most people don’t know the City Manager’s Gang Advisory Board has been meeting monthly for a year to develop solutions to the gang problems facing Lowell, and those efforts are showing results. This morning, the board decided to hold a Community Summit in January to share the board’s accomplishments and goals, look for suggestions going forward, and challenge citizens to be part of the solution for developing youth opportunities and preventing gang involvement. (Stay tuned for more specifics regarding the date, time, and summit location.)
In the meantime, here’s an update on a board-related action: A concern identified at a recent board meeting regarding the relationship between the Lowell Police Gang Unit and the United Teen Equality Center’s (UTEC) Street Workers led to a meeting between the two groups. Both groups target gang-involved youngsters; the police gang unit focuses on crime prevention and enforcement while UTEC street workers look to build relationships with teens, connect them to community resources, and foster peacemaking. Although UTEC leaders have been meeting regularly with Police Superintendant Lavallee and his command staff, there was a disconnect between the rank and file members of both groups along with a sense of distrust—even cross purposes. According to UTEC Executive Director Gregg Croteau and Police Deputy Artie Ryan, getting these groups together has been a major first step in collaborating their efforts around gang prevention. Both Croteau and Ryan noted that at the meeting, the police officers and street workers realized their focus and perspectives may be different, but they share many common goals in working with the city’s troubled youth. The two groups will continue to meet and develop a partnership as advocates sharing resources in a community effort against gangs and youth violence.