NCJ Number
153992
Date Published
1995
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of Hawaii's Youth Gang Response System (YGRS) provides information on the extent of crime, delinquency, and gangs in Hawaii; describes the YGRS; presents results of a process evaluation; and reports on evaluations of programs conducted by YGRS agencies.
Abstract
The YGRS was created in response to Hawaii's emerging youth gang problem, and was charged by the State legislature with addressing the youth gang problem in a systematic, coordinated effort. City and State agencies as well as community groups have worked together to provide prevention and intervention services to youth throughout the State. YGRS components include information sharing, intelligence and law enforcement, training and community awareness, school and community prevention/intervention programs, and research and system evaluation. The system currently features two programs, PAGE and SAP (School Attendance Program). PAGE is the gang-prevention curriculum that involves police officers, in collaboration with teachers, in the instruction of seventh-grade youth about the problems of gang membership. SAP is a school-based program for chronic truants. Other categories of YGRS programs are recreational programs, after-school educational programs, and outreach services. The process evaluation notes that as a mature system, the YGRS continues to build on its strengths, but it is also experiencing some of the "drift" and "calcification" that accompanies age. Complaints about a lack of direction suggest the system would benefit from a formal revisiting of its mission and composition. Evaluations of particular YGRS programs show that they are having a positive impact but can be fine-tuned to be more effective. 3 tables, 2 references, and appended descriptions of YGRS collaborative activities