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PROJECT NARRATIVE <br />What is the specific problem to be addressed by this application? <br />The membership rolls of criminal street gangs in Paris, Texas, continue to rise. Juveniles <br />in our city think of gang membership as a part of growing up. This way of thinking is due, <br />in no small part, to the glamourous image of gang membership portrayed in popular <br />`Gangster Rap' music and Hollywood movie screens. Gang members are an increasing <br />problem in the city of Paris, Texas. Since receiving this grant three years ago we have <br />made significant headway in the analysis of "at risk" youth and developing criteria for <br />determining gang membership. The development of gang criteria has led to the <br />identification of approximately 105 hard -core gang members and approximately 200 fringe <br />members or associates. This number is up somewhat from the estimated 85 gang members <br />in 1995 and 1996. <br />2. Explain the nature and extent of the problem using verifiable statistics relevant to <br />the proposed target area. <br />Of the 3987 arrests made during 1997 by the Paris Police Department, 425 were of <br />juvenile offenders. Seventy -seven of the 425 juvenile arrests in 1997 were for felony <br />offenses. Thirty -two juvenile gang members were arrested in 1997. These 32 juvenile <br />gang members committed 39 felony offenses and 93 misdemeanor offenses. In short, <br />32 gang members were responsible for fifty percent of felony offenses and one quarter of <br />all offenses committed by juveniles in 1997. <br />What resources are curreml}} being used in the applicants geographic area to <br />address this problem and how do these resources work together? <br />During the past three years we have developed programs that offer alternatives to gang <br />life style, one on one counseling with at risk children, and the enforcement of juvenile <br />laws. This officer works with other members of the Police Department, School Teachers, <br />School Administrators, and other groups to combat the problem of gang activity and <br />juvenile crime in our city. Some examples of the groups that the Juvenile /Gang Officer <br />works with are listed below: <br />Police Athletic League of Paris <br />School Resource Officers <br />Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer <br />Community oriented Police Officers <br />►, <br />