As the director of the Edgewood Boys & Girls Club, Natasha Jackson had the responsibility of helping Edgewood kids shy away from gangs.
In her new role as gang prevention coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County, she has to consider all of the at-risk youth of Harford County.
But “when we do gang prevention, the word ?gang? usually doesn?t come up,” she said.
“There is a gang problem, but it is not an epidemic. People are not walking out their doors every day and getting shot. The problem in Harford County is the same as it was 20 years ago. There is nothing for kids to do,” Jackson said.
She hopes to keep at-risk youth busy and offthe streets through Boys & Girls Club activities, field trips and positive surroundings.
Her main goal is to reach out to 100 new members across the county, she said.
“One of the aspects of our gang program is that we recognize it?s not all about law enforcement, it?s also prevention,” said Maryland?s U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein, whose office provided the $99,000 in grant money that helped create Jackson?s position.
Rosenstein said his office has about $2 million for preventive gang efforts across the state.
Jackson “is great with kids, and she sends the right message ? she shows kids respect, so she has the respect of the kids,” said Don Mathis, the executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Harford County.
Mathis said Jackson was an ideal choice for the position because she does not just want to work with kids, she wants to help those who are likely to head down the wrong path.
