Gang Control

Gang violence continues to be a public policy issue in both major population centers and suburban and rural enclave . Numerous theories abound as to the best way to stem the tide of youth violence in general and gang activity in particular . One expert , John Calhoun , the founder of the National Crime prevention counsel has suggested five elements that contribute to resiliency in youth (Calhoun , 2006 ) These consist of a notion that young people should have that they control their own fate that young people should have a skill to which they can point

with pride , the presence of one reliable adult in their lives , a sense of hope or optimism in the future , and a sense of altruism (Calhoun , 2006 There are programs at various stages of social intercession : prevention intervention and suppression which seek to engender these elements (Calhoun , 2006 ) The commonwealth of Massachusetts has numerous programs that address each of these developmental phases and offer proven interventions to improve the chances of youth to avoid the violence of gang lifestyles (Calhoun , 2006

Many programs in Massachusetts are designed to address youth violence in the prevention phase . One such program , entitled LIFT (Linking the Interests of Families and Teachers ) illustrates many of the positive characteristics of prevention of youth gang activity (Eddy , Reid Fetrow , 2000 ) An The program consists of three major elements in prevention . The first of these is in-class child social and decision-making skills development (Eddy , Reid Fetrow , 2000 ) A second element of LIFT is playground-based behavior...