GANG SUMMIT SLATED FOR RIVERSIDE

RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, November 1, 2007: District Attorney Rod Pacheco and the Riverside County Gang Investigators Association will host the 2007 California Gang Summit. The conference will be held from November 5-9 at the Riverside Convention Center. California Attorney General Jerry Brown is a featured guest speaker.

"Gang activity, and the resultant violence, is on the rise throughout the entire State of California. It is no longer just an issue for our larger cities. It affects our suburban and rural communities as well. Eliminating gangs cannot be achieved by any individual agency alone. Justice can only be achieved through dedication and collaboration from many at the local, state and national levels," said District Attorney Rod Pacheco.

Commenting on the gang threat, California Attorney General Brown said, "Gangs constitute a form of domestic terrorism that requires a sophisticated response. Every year, gangs are winning the hearts of tens of thousands of young Californians. This must be stopped."

The purpose of the Gang Summit is to provide an opportunity for communities that have successful anti-gang programs to forge partnerships in order to create and implement a statewide collaborative program aimed at eliminating gangs and their activities.

In addition to Pacheco and Attorney General Brown, featured speakers include Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, and Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua.

Among the subjects to be covered in the law enforcement component include proactive strategies for reducing gang crimes, gang injunctions, gang association warrants, wire taps, gang intelligence, and witness protection.

A community strategies component will include topics such as Graffiti Abatement, Project Bridge, Youth Accountability Teams, and Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Cost for the five day conference is $95.00 and includes lunch. Cost for the one-day community strategies seminar is $45.00 and also includes lunch.

For registration and more information, please contact Heather Gutterud at (951) 955-9398.