> ## 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. # Gang violence action plan in the works - URL: https://www.smdp.com/gang-violence-action-plan-in-the-works/ - Published: 2005-04-11T15:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T06:34:16.000Z - Author: Ryan Hyatt - Tags: Education, Sunset Park, #archive-import *Chamber pledges to help 100 at-risk youth* SUNSET PARK — More than 250 community members met Saturday to begin developing an action plan to reduce gang violence in Santa Monica. During the second of two workshops sponsored by California State Sen. Sheila Kuehl and the city of Santa Monica, participants broke into groups to narrow down a wide range of ideas they believe will help reduce gang violence, particularly in the east-side Pico neighborhood, the area most plagued by gunshots and other criminal activity. The goal of the workshop was to come up with realistic ways to reduce gang violence in Santa Monica over the next two years. In addition, Sen. Kuehl invited regional economic and law enforcement representatives to pledge their organizations’ help in rallying toward anti-gang-violence efforts. “This is really about ensuring a sense of hope and motivation (for people affected by gangs),” said Shane McLoud, a board member of the Santa Monica- Malibu Unified School District. “It’s about linking them to more positive opportunities in life.” Father Mike Gutierrez from St. Anne’s Church offered a moment of silence at the beginning of the workshop on behalf of Hector Bonilla, 25, and Jonathan Hernandez, 19, two Santa Monica residents shot multiple times on March 5 at a birthday party held at the Moose Lodge at 16th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard. The killings took place in front of 50 to 70 witnesses, according to Santa Monica police. The killers are still at large, in part because witnesses have provided detectives with little information about the shootings, police said. Gutierrez said the murders of the two young men — whose families live in Santa Monica — should help inspire community members to make a constructive difference with efforts like the gang violence workshop. Among the key suggestions, participants said existing programs needed to have maximized use, perhaps through a to-be-formed committee that will help oversee, communicate and coordinate efforts between groups. At the same time, participants said there needed to be more of an emphasis on intervention programs geared toward youth at all grade levels. The Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce agreed to help mentor 100 at-risk youth, as well as allow youth to take part in an upcoming job fair. Participants also agreed there needed to be more skill-training and job-development efforts geared toward youth. Jann Whetstone, an outreach coordinator with the State Building and Trust Council of California, which she said helps enroll people into skilled trades, told participants it’s necessary to offer job opportunities so youngsters can live closer to the lifestyle they see sensationalized by rap stars and gang members. “When kids are making more money than they do at Jack in the Box, they don’t have time to hang out in the streets,” Whetstone said. Participants said a better effort was needed to involve the city’s growing arts industries in job development, as well as offer programs in school that will foster student interest. Participants also said there needed to be better mentoring and re-entry programs available for youth who already have a criminal history. At the same time, some said there also needed to be better communication between the Santa Monica police and Pico neighborhood residents. Although momentum was high during the last workshop, some said the efforts might not be enough to reduce gang violence. “There are issues going on right now between the gangs which are not being represented (at this workshop),” said Ernie G. Funk, a youth standing outside the John Adams Middle School cafeteria, where the conference was held. Sen. Kuehl said her office and city staff will review the action plan suggestions discussed at the workshop and return to the public with updates explaining what steps will be taken to reduce gang violence over the next two years. For more information on what occurred at the first and second gang violence workshops, visit www.StopGangViolence.smgov.net. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/041105-02_01.jpg) Facilitators at a workshop on Saturday at John Adams Middle School outline their plan of action to end gang violence in Santa Monica while State Sen. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/041105-02_02.jpg) Santa Monica Police Chief James T. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/041105-02_03.jpg) Santa Monica Police Chief James T. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 11, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041105.pdf?ref=smdp.com)