1994-022-RES WHEREAS, OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF STATE OF TEXAS THROUGH JUSTICE DIVISION IS OFFERING GRANT

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t;.Il)- 1 ~ Program Narrative 1. Problem Statement (See Instructions on pages' 3a and 13b.) Beginning in the spring of 1991, The City of Paris began to experience some gang related activity. As a result of all of this, all aspects of our loc?l crime rate began to escalate rapidly. Some of the violent crimes have been directly related to the gang activity as well as the increase in the other areas of crime such as the thefts and burglaries. All of this also ties into the drug traffic than is largely lead by the gangs. Therefore, the victims of these crimes and the citizens of our co~~unity are continually at a higher risk of injury and have become extremely concerned and fearful of the growing possibility of becoming a victim of a violent crime in their own homes. The areas of which this crime,prevention grant will apply are in the City of Paris as well as throughout Lamar County. The crime ~revention at the Paris Police Department is the only one that serves this area. We also get reguest to serve co~ounities in Red River County as well. Red River and Lamar Counties are directly between Texarkana to the east and the Sherman/Denison area to the west. Both counties border Oklahoma. This fact alone has caused our community some problems in that Hugo and Idabel Oklahoma have an even worse gang problem than we do in Paris. We have been able to document some problems from the overflow from gangs in those areas into oUr area. There are several other programs that the city of Paris has committed to in order to address these problem areas. The Police Athletic League of Paris is one that provides an alternative to young people that roam the streets by providing individual sport activities. We are also into our third year or a D.A.R.E. program. TheZ:~i is l'al,sB ~ b(o.Y slcoPt _f:xolores ~os~ wi thio..b~ur department. 2. M,Slor C8J ata see nstructlons on pa~s Iva ana 1" I.} _. In 1991, the crime rate rose a staggering 22.2%. There was an lncrease or 742 class I crimes.. In 1992, the crime rate dropped 17.4% ~it~ the aid of this crime prevention grant. There was a decrease of 713 class I crimes. That crime rate put on the roar back to a crime rate in 1990. In 1993, the crime rate in the City or Paris rose. a moderate 0.8%. There was an increase or only 26 class I crimes. I believe that these figures that the crime prevention ~rogran in our department is a very successful program. With the support of this last year or eligible funding, the city will have had the opportunity to complete it's five year plan. Use continuation page(s) as necessary for any section.