VIRGINIA AVENUE PARK — What started off as another emotionally-charged community meeting loaded with accusations of misconduct against police quickly transformed Monday night into a free flowing,substantive exchange of ideas on how to better serve youth and their families.
Despite the scores of programs already provided for free by City Hall, residents told members of the Social Services Commission that more needs to be done, especially when it comes to youth in their teens since they are the most at-risk of being involved in gangs or other criminal activity, but the least likely to participate in city-sponsored programs.
In the wake of gang-related shootings this month, Pico residents have gathered twice before to discuss what can be done to alleviate their concerns. During both meetings, a small group of residents blamed the police for their problems.
But residents on Monday suggested that more money be targeted towards those youth in the form of job opportunities and internships at
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 26, 2006. Read the original PDF.