Montgomery seeks federal grant for anti-gang center

Wrapped into the county’s $140 million federal requests for next year is $690,000 for a youth center for the northern portions of the county that would mirror gang prevention outreach already being done at a center in Takoma Park. The rising gang problem throughout the county has also pushed county officials to ask the federal government for $2 million to expand its gang suppression task force.

Earlier this year, county officials questioned how well the Takoma Park center is able to reach troubled teens in that area and said they wouldn’t likely find the cash needed to expand northward in the tight budget season.

And while some County Council members are still uncertain of the center’s effectiveness, they believe it represents an excellent opportunity to reach youth before they get caught up in gang activity. So they and other county officials are still asking the federal government to give the money, according to the request documents.

“We don’t know how many we’re reaching,” County Council President Mike Knapp has said. “How do we know if it’s working?”

Officials with the Health and Human Services Department, however, said the Takoma Park center has shown signs of success.

Started in 2006 with state and federal dollars as a joint project with Prince George’s County, the Youth Opportunity Center has served 306 youth in the area, according to the federal request documents. In surveys, the potential gang members reported they felt more confident, more emotionally stable and more likely to refuse a friend’s invitation to join a gang after participating in the center’s activities and mentor programs.

BY THE NUMBERS

A survey of youth who attended the existing gang prevention center said:

• 83 percent would not likely accept a friend’s invitation to join a gang.
• 90 percent were more respectful toward people.
• 98 percent felt the services were useful.

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