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LA sets up academy to train gang interventionists
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LA sets up academy to train gang interventionists
LA sets up academy to train gang interventionists
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa introduced a new gang intervention training academy on Thursday.
The program will receive a one-year, $200,000 contract from the city. The non-profit Advancement Project will run the academy, which will train and professionalize gang intervention workers.
Connie Rice, the co-director of the Advancement Project and a Southern California Public Radio board member, said it's a "historic step" for the mayor to invest in gang intervention.
The academy will teach gang intervention workers how to get a license to operate. The academy will also establish standards for the gang intervention workers and certify who should get money to do gang intervention.
Rice said gang intervention workers will teach the courses, but she and other experts will assist.
"They're Diana Ross, we're the Supremes in this," said Rice.
The first 30 students will likely begin classes at the academy in March. The program will meet at USC.
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(Audio: KPCC's Alex Cohen talks with Connie Rice about the program)
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