By: centraljersey.com
Looking to bolster the county’s anti-gang law enforcement activities in the coming year, Sheriff Jean Stanfield has requested and received authorization from the freeholder board to apply for a three-year federal grant up to $750,000.
Stanfield said that the funds would cover the costs of a comprehensive anti-gang project that will use education and awareness programs, as well as initiatives to disrupt gang activity through a more visible police presence. In addition, for the first time, strategies will be developed to create a county-wide gang intervention program to assist gang-involved youth in getting out of that lifestyle.
The funding would be secured through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Programs.
"From a law enforcement perspective, we’re looking to up the ante," said Stanfield. "Gang prevention – keeping young people from being lured into gangs – is still a priority. But funding of this magnitude would give us the ability to target kids already involved in gangs."
The project is essentially a pilot, and will focus on proactively addressing gang activity in two communities, Riverside and Burlington City, starting with prevention and education programs. Past surveys have indicated that these municipalities, and at least seven others along the RiverLine rail system, have identified a gang presence.
"Because these are smaller communities, the project is more manageable as a pilot program, and it will be easier to assess results," Stanfield said. "But the fact remains that, all along the RiverLine, towns share the common concern that gang members from Camden, Philadelphia and Trenton are trying to infiltrate their borders."
If the grant is approved, it would also provide for the hiring of a Gang Prevention Coordinator over the three-year term. While the coordinator would technically be hired by Crossroads Programs, a non-profit agency that provides a variety of social services, he or she would work closely with the sheriff’s existing Anti-Gang Task Force.
The Sheriff’s Department previously secured anti-gang grant dollars for Willingboro and Pemberton Township, and mentoring and proactive activities are ongoing in those towns. In addition, Mount Holly is piloting a mentoring program in the schools that targets young people at risk.
Surveys have been conducted in several schools throughout the County, to get a handle on current and potential gang activity. Stanfield said that the coordinator will be charged with analyzing that data, and proposing prevention and intervention strategies.
She said that Crossroads has experience in establishing and coordinating a multitude of related programs for troubled youth, and therefore, "will be a solid partner in this project."
"We’re hoping that the pilot can become a model for all communities that are struggling to bring the gang problem under control," said the sheriff.

