> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Citizens have it in for gangs - URL: https://www.smdp.com/citizens-have-it-in-for-gangs/ - Published: 2006-03-18T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T17:22:13.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Education, Malibu, #archive-import *A city mulls how to keep kids inspired* CITYWIDE — With residents united in their condemnation of gang violence following the murder of 15-year-old Santa Monica High School student Eduardo “Eddie” Lopez, elected officials are looking to harness the momentum and move forward with initiatives geared towards eliminating gangs once and for all. Efforts begin in earnest this morning at 10 a.m., with a gang violence workshop at John Adams Middle School — the third in a year-long series hosted by State Sen. Sheila Kuehl, City Hall and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Participants — including elected officials, educators, and members of law enforcement and faith-based communities — will give status updates as to where they are in implementing programs to keep youth inspired and away from gangs. The workshop will also afford residents the opportunity to offer suggestions, along with a chance to voice their frustration and anger over the loss of Lopez, a popular athlete at Samohi who was shot and killed Feb. 28 by a suspected gang member. The success of both the workshop and programs devised as a result, is highly dependent on the participation of the community, officials said, which is why they are encouraging everyone to attend. “Gang violence is an issue in which the community needs to take ownership,” City Councilman Richard Bloom said earlier this week. “Every person in our city needs to work to make this community safe — that means every resident, elected officials, law enforcement, city staff. “We all need to pull together and form a common agenda that says this type of behavior will not be tolerated in this city.” In a report given to the council at its meeting last Tuesday, Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr. said the key to eliminating the presence of gangs is adults willing to offer youth hope, unconditional love and opportunity. He also said it’s going to take continued collaboration with other cities, and not just in the area of law enforcement. The problem is officials outside of Santa Monica may not be aware of the severity of gang violence here, perhaps under the impression that this wealthy, beach community is immune to such problems. That is why turnout is so important, to raise awareness not only in the city, but in the region as well, said gang intervention specialist William “Blinky” Rodriguez, executive director of Communities in Schools Greater Los Angeles, who served as a panelist for the first workshop more than a year ago. “I don’t think it really has sunken in yet, even for those who live (in Santa Monica,)” Rodriguez said. “You need to get people to understand the culture of these gang members, to witness the warning signs so that maybe if they see a kid down the block start turning towards the gang life, they can intervene.” The workshop will begin with an introduction by Kuehl, and then City Manager Lamont Ewell will give a report regarding recent efforts City Hall has engaged in following Lopez’ death, such as a new rapid graffiti removal program and new lighting in alleys. Interim Superintendent of schools Mike Mathews will update the public on the district’s efforts to engage community partners, such as a new mentoring program at Santa Monica High School. There will also be representatives from the Pico and Ocean Park neighborhoods to talk about the impact of gang violence there. Members of the Los Angeles County Probation Department will give a report as well, along with the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California. A representative with the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce will be on hand to announce their annual job fair — scheduled for April 26 at Samohi — as well as a new partnership with the Boys and Girls Club to increase the number of adults willing to adopt a new brother or sister. “I’m hoping that this session will really provide the public with some answers and give them options for how they can help,” said Kuehl. “We know people will want to vent, and that is OK. We understand there are a lot of intense emotions right now. But we hope at the end of the day they can walk away with something tangible.” *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 18, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/031806.pdf?ref=smdp.com)