Holyoke/Chicopee
The following provides a general overview of the 2009 Holyoke CSI effort (as described in their application for grant funds).PROBLEM:
Holyoke has several criminal street gangs involved in the sale and importation of drugs. To protect their turf, gangs use intimidation on other gangs, witnesses, and the public at large.
Gang violence has been active in specific areas in Holyoke, often housing projects and multi-family dwellings. These areas often suffer from high rates of unemployment, poverty, and school dropouts.
Gang members from established Latino gangs have followed migration into Chicopee and have had success in recruiting their fellow Latinos.
Lenient bail and sentencing of the criminal street gang members at the judiciary level has allowed offenders to get back to the streets more quickly.
Need to increase neighborhood watch programs to educate citizens on what to look for, how to report criminal activity, and how to keep youth out of gangs.
Struggling schools with high drop out rates increase risk factors for future gang involvement as youth end up on the streets with nothing to do and come from homes with there is no history of work.
Holyoke/Chicopee police departments will:
1. HPD will continue to support its Take Back Our Streets (TBOS) and Gang Suppression operations. The TBOS initiative targets impact players and resulted in significant arrests as well as the confiscation of drugs and firearms.
2. CPD will continue to use Shannon CSI resources to support four school resource officers, officers on bike a foot patrols in high-crime/high-gang areas, continue to work with community through active participation in community meetings, and work in schools leading a gang awareness and conflict resolution trainings.
1. Engage with youth to provide case management; Gang Prevention Through Targeted Outreach at both Boys & Girls Clubs targeting 50 youth each: and referring high-risk youth to education, recreation, and job training programs.
2. Expand hours and provide transportation to the Boys & Girls Clubs offering youth a safe space and activities during the school year and summer.
3. Provide mentoring, job training and placement, education, anger management, mediation training and conflict resolution.
4. Enhance communication through regular monthly steering committee meetings.
5. Provide opportunities for completion of court directed community service hours through the Boys & Girls Club.
6. Expand relationship between schools and Boys & Girls Club through participation on truancy efforts and the drop-out prevention program.
Holyoke PD reported a 40% decrease in violent crimes from 2006-2007.
Youth employment programs have been successful is providing many youth their first exposure to employment.
Outreach workers have outpaced their goals for youth served; while their goal was 50 youth in Chicopee, they had served more than 250 at-risk youth.
Initiated several programs and activities geared towards providing safe spaces/alternatives for high-risk and gang-involved youth, including tutoring, recreation, GED prep, mentoring, and counseling at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Holyoke and Chicopee.
Relationships between partners have strengthened as information sharing and referrals have increased. Attendance at steering committee meetings is 100% participation from all partners.