NCJ Number
149293
Date Published
1994
Length
169 pages
Annotation
The Gang Risk Intervention Pilot Project (GRIPP) was created in 1988 by the California Legislature to facilitate a closer working relationship between schools and their respective communities.
Abstract
The eight specific GRIPP objectives are to reduce the probability of youth involvement in gang activities and criminality, establish ties between at-risk children and community-based organizations, commit local businesses to positive youth programming, place a community organizer at each school, provide counseling for targeted at-risk youth, expose youth to positive sports and cultural activities, provide job training including apprenticeships, and provide positive interactions between students and law enforcement. This evaluation was based on data collected through in-person interviews conducted at every GRIPP school district and from arrest records of GRIPP and non-GRIPP participants. Results showed that the number of students arrested for gang-related crimes at GRIPP schools have been lower than their non-GRIPP counterparts. Early indicators of gang involvement at GRIPP schools suggest that more in-service teacher training could be useful in preventing gang activity. While the availability of GRIPP counselors as a crisis intervention resource was very valuable, the use of volunteer interns from neighboring colleges was not successful in providing needed continuity for GRIPP students. 6 tables, 7 figures, and 18 appendixes