SACRAMENTO—Assemblymember Anna Caballero (D-28) today announced her appointment by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez to chair a newly-formed Select Committee on Youth Violence Prevention. 

“Finding ways to prevent gang violence has been a passion of mine for many years,” said Caballero.  “My experience as mayor of Salinas convinced me that communities have to come together to find creative ways to divert our young people from the insidious appeal of gang membership.”

Prior to her election to the Assembly last November, and while serving as Mayor of Salinas, Caballero served as Executive Director of Partners for Peace, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing youth violence and improving community health.  She also spent many years working as a criminal defense attorney. 

Gang violence is a growing problem throughout the state, in rural areas and suburban areas as well as cities of all sizes.

Caballero said:  “My goal for this select committee is to work with other knowledgeable members of the Assembly, law enforcement organizations, local elected officials, educators, the faith community and other and community groups to develop a “Tool Kit” of best practices that communities can use to strengthen families and youth.” 

She added:  “We need strong laws to protect neighborhoods from gang violence, but we also need innovative approaches to give our vulnerable young people alternatives to counter the appeal of gangs.  We need to support efforts to keep our communities, our neighborhoods and our children safe.”

Caballero will work with Speaker Núñez over the next week to identify committee members and a schedule of hearings for the new select committee.  She will also introduce several legislative proposals relating to gang violence prevention.