Santa Maria Sun / News

Santa Maria Police Department invites public to monthly gang forum

BY AMY ASMAN

Continuing its efforts to improve public safety, the Santa Maria Police Department will host another community gang forum on March 25 at 6 p.m. at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center in Santa Maria.

To kick off the forum, the Santa Maria Police Department Gang Suppression Team will give a presentation on gangs and gang activity in Santa Maria. The presentation is designed to answer several questions, including: What is a gang? How do I know if my child is involved in a gang? What is the difference between gang graffiti and other types of graffiti vandalism? What can I do to keep my child from becoming involved in a gang?

Following the presentation, information on gang prevention and other topics will be provided by representatives from a collection of local groups that work with at-risk youth and gang members. Each representative will also explain how his or her group impacts the community. The representatives plan to be available after the forum to answer more questions and help people who want to start volunteering in the community.

For more information, contact the Santa Maria Police Department at 928-3781.